Service Details
Funeral: Saturday, March 11, 2017 11:00am
Visitation: Saturday, March 11, 2017 9:00am – 11:00am
Location: Second Missionary Baptist, 1250 Lathrop Ave, Racine, Wisconsin
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Deacon Joseph Knuckles Jr., 72, passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2017, while joyfully worshipping and praising his Savior during Lenten service. He was born in Tyronza, AR, on August 15, 1944, to the late Joseph Sr. and Odesser (nee: Burns) Knuckles, and he relocated to Racine, WI, in 1963. He was the seventh of seventeen children and was united in marriage to his wife Hattie (nee: McShan) Knuckles. He was previously married to Jacqueline (nee: Herron) Knuckles, who passed away in 2004.
Joe professed his faith in Christ at an early age, and was baptized at Rock of Ages Missionary Baptist Church, in Tyronza, Arkansas. He was a deacon and faithful member of Second Missionary Baptist Church where he loved and cared for the house of God while serving in many other capacities.
He openly expressed his loved for God and could often be found studying his Bible. One of his greatest desires was simply to see everyone fellowship and be kind and respectful to each other. He was blessed with various skills that he poured into such hobbies as designing porches, decks, patios and customized jewelry boxes. He was also known as a master on the barbecue grill whenever he had the urge to put it on display.
He enjoyed reading the bible, bowling, fishing and traveling. In the past he always looked forward to Wednesday, which was his designated shopping day with his mother, and also the day when he would read the Bible to her. He was a peacemaker, and a proponent of the gospel who often encouraged others to read the Bible, because according to one of his favorite quotes, “God is about peace.” He was a long time employee of Chrysler, and he retired in July 2000.
To cherish his memory, Joseph leaves his loving wife Hattie; children, Fredrick Butler and Hope McShan; siblings, Sammy (Emma) Smith of Oxford, MS., Rev. Tommie Knuckles of Racine, WI, Jonnie B. Knuckles of Oakland, CA, Louise Smith of Racine, WI, Ora Gray of Racine, WI, Carey (Cheryl) Knuckles of Evansville, IN, Sampson Knuckles of Racine, WI, Earl Knuckles of Racine, WI, Ruby (Louis) Buckingham of Antioch, CA, Classie West of Racine, WI, Dorothy (Willie) Burnett of Anniston, AL, Altoria (Charles) Edwards of Racine, WI, Jeff Knuckles of Racine, WI, Odesser (Greg) Maxie of Vallejo, CA, and Harvey Knuckles of Quimper, France; a special sister, Willie Knuckles of Racine, WI; uncles, Rev. Alfred (Fannie) Burns of South Carolina, Dan Burns of Racine, WI and Nelson Burns of Memphis, TN; aunts, Edna (Aaron) Baker of San Leandro, CA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and friends.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Sr. and Odesser Knuckles; sister, Emma Knuckles; his first wife, Jacqueline Knuckles; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Smith and Fabian Knuckles; brothers-in-law James Gray, Bill West, Sr., and Nathaniel Smith; aunts, Alma Farrow, Altoria Naylor, Dorothy Bowman and Julia Ellis; Mae Jessie Burns, Margaret Burns and Minnette Burns; uncles, Calvin Naylor and Carey Burns; niece, Sheila Knuckles; nephews, Michael Knuckles, Robert Knuckles, and LC Knuckles.
A Homegoing Celebration will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 11:00 am, in Second Missionary Baptist Church, 1250 Lathrop Avenue. Visitation will be at the church from 9:00am until the time of service. Bishop Mark Freeman will be officiating. Interment will follow in West Lawn Memorial Park.
Carol Linda Herron Mitchell-Jones says
To My Knuckles Family, I Grieve with each and every one of you…Yet, My Heart and Soul has not accepted the fact that our Precious Joe was taken from us so suddenly. I still hear his voice in bible study discussing the word in his living room. I have known him since 1965 and shared my adulthood with him as my brother in law because he was ALWAYS there for the HERRON Family , in times of sorrow and in times of Joy. I am so honored to declare that I will Always Love him for his Moral Courage and Loving Support to Family and Friends without hesitation.
Bobby Big DAWG Whitney says
I will miss you joe we come from the cotton patch for a better life. You are my Brother and I will see you on the beautiful shore someday.
Louis Henderson says
Joe was a good friend to me rip my brother you will be missed
Hope R Smith says
Ms Hattie, I’m so sorry for your loss, for Deacon Joe will be missed but I believe there was a celebration when Deacon returned to our Heavenly Father! Bless you !
Sincerely,
Hope
James ward says
Just would like to say Bro. Was a very wonderful person,to the love one you have my Prayers for strength J.w
Daris J. Hodges says
My sincerest condolences to the Knuckles family. May you find peace in the future with God’s decision to call your loved one on home.
Anonymous says
You have our condolences to the Knuckles family. Will be missed!
Baker Family
Jeana C. Herron-Bodden says
My condolences to the Knuckles Family.
Uncle Joe the day I asked you to walk me down the aisle, you answered without hesitation. I want to THANK YOU for being the UNCLE we all could count on, we really appreciated you. You have taught all of us how to live in our own skin and NOT be shied to whomever we demanded respect from.
Labor Day BBQ – Deep Fried Turkeys’ will not miss you, but I will miss the flavor, eating, and laying back. I will miss you.
TO: The Knuckles Family, The Herron Family and Hattie – God knows we loved him, Joe knew we loved him, and therefore we should celebrate the laughter of our days we had him here with us. My Family blesses all of you whom are mourning and wanted to let you know – Joe said”With prayer you can do anything”
Love you Uncle Joe enjoy the company in heaven waiting for you.
Melvina Montgomery-Lube says
What a “Gift of Service” he was to my family! There were many days with inclement weather situations when he dropped what he wa doing to visit my mother with his wife and to offer communion when we knew she was dying. He often commented on her interpretations of the “Bible” while in the Sunday School classes at the church. I gave him a $50.00 gasoline card and I was told he gave it to the miniter of the church rather than use it for himself! A “Faithful friend and a “Good Servant” of the Lord. “Being Kind” to someone who needed it like my elderly mother was so evident in who he was as a man. He had nothing to gain by doing what he wanted to do so willingly for my mother. I am trully grateful for his many acts of love! May his family and friends continue to be kind and love one another.
Rev. Della Jane Buckley says
May God continue to give you comfort during this time of remembrance and celebration!
toury says
Gonna miss our talks and your warming spirit rip see you on high one day
Minister Jackie Thomas says
To the family, friends and everyone who loved Deacon Joe, an awesome loving vessel who made a difference in so many people lives.. You have my deepest sympathy and prayers . Sleep well (daddy Joe) . He will always have a place in our heart..
Minister Jackie Thomas of Birmingham Alabama says
To the family, friends and everyone who loved Deacon Joe, an awesome loving vessel who made a difference in so many people lives.. You have my deepest sympathy and prayers . Sleep well (daddy Joe) . He will always have a place in our heart..
Minister Jackie Thomas of Birmingham Alabama says
To the family, friends and everyone who loved Deacon Joe, an awesome loving vessel who made a difference in so many people lives.. You have my deepest sympathy and prayers . Sleep well . He will always have a place in our heart..
Bishop Lawrence Jackson of Birmingham Alabama says
Sleep well ( daddy Joe).