Joseph E. Mize

Rev. Joseph E. Mize, Master Chief Petty Officer, United States Coast Guard, 65, passed away on Friday, December 1, 2017 in the Community Hospice Truman House.

Born December 16, 1951 in Greenville, North Carolina he was a son of the late Edward and Irene Lewis Mize. Joe was also preceded in death by his wife, Alice Barbara Mize in 2005 and his brothers, Bobby and Johnnie Simmons.

Joe was born in Greenville, but grew up south of Wilmington. He joined the United States Coast Guard in 1970 and faithfully served for 30 years. His final assignment was in Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington DC, where he eventually retired in December 2000. He was a member of the American Legion Post 364 in Woodridge, VA, Charles Hofer Post 522 in Strasburg and the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Association since 1987. Joe’s next endeavor was with the Office of Public Safety Communications in Prince William County, VA, where he worked for 13 years as a Radio Systems Administrator, retiring in 2014.

Joe was faithful in his church attendance. He was a member of Central Baptist Church in Woodbridge, VA, attended Central Baptist Institute for many years, and finally, was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel. He moved to Strasburg, Ohio in March 2014 with the intent of starting a church.

Joe is survived by his sister, Barbara (Walter) Stockert of Strasburg, Ohio; brothers, Royce (Virginia) Simmons, Donnie Simmons both of Winterville, NC; and half-sister, Pearl Jones of Greenville; uncle, Hilton Nichols; aunt Betty Lewis; multiple nieces, nephews, cousins and special friend, Tere Strunk.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 9 at 11:00 am in the Calvary Baptist Church at 1412 Holbert St., Greenville, North Carolina with Dr. Brad Weniger and Rev. Ronnie Rogerson officiating. Interment will be in the Pinewood Memorial Park. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday. The Smith Funeral Home in Greenville are handling local arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Central Baptist Church at 13910 Minnieville Road, Woodbridge, Virgina 22193 or to Community Hospice Truman House at 716 Commercial Ave. SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.