Joseph Garfield Justice “Papaw Joe”, passed away peacefully Monday, March 25, 2024 at home surrounded by his family. He was born on May 3, 1939 to the late Edgar and Thelma Lindsay Justice. Also, preceding him in death were his wife of 62 years, Virginia; grandsons, Zachary and Hayden Sutton, and David Fuqua; sister, Catherine Ledford; and brother, Thomas Justice.

Left to cherish his memory, are his loving daughters, Darlene Huntsinger (Larry), Linda Jo Cruzan (Jim); grandchildren, Joseph Huntsinger (Morgan), Daniel Huntsinger, and Megan Fuqua; great grandchildren, Zach, Sophie and Johnathan Fuqua, and James, Joel, Silas, and Delia Huntsinger; sisters, Polly Ledford, and Linda Rathbone (Henry).

Joe loved his family dearly. He was proud of his daughters; and his grandchildren, and great grandchildren were the apples of his eye. Joe was a United States Army veteran. After his service in the Army, Joe served on the Board of Directors of French Broad Electric for 47 years, many of those as President. Joe loved to hunt and fish and could build anything. He enjoyed watching Yankees baseball and was an avid Tarheel fan. Joe was kind, generous, and a loyal friend to many. He will be greatly missed.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Madison Home Health Hospice, especially Charlotte, Teresa, Jolie, Linda Plemmons and Ricky Jo Rogers for the loving compassionate care given to both Joe and Virginia.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday March 30, 2024 in the Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service. Pastor Joseph Huntsinger will officiate. Burial will follow in Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery in Hot Springs. Josh Plemmons, Grant Rogers, Joseph Huntsinger, Daniel Huntsinger, Kenny Ramsey, Andrew Tuck, Kevin Meadows, and Anthony Sluder will serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm Saturday March 30, 2024, prior to the service at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.