Joseph Lee Summerville Jr.

Brother Joseph Lee Summerville, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, peacefully departed this life and went home to be with his heavenly father on Sunday morning, May 15, 2022.

Born on August 6, 1934, in Norfolk, Virginia, Joseph Lee Summerville, Jr. was the second oldest of five children born to Joseph Lee Summerville, Sr., and Dorothy Elizabeth Jones.  He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, Norfolk, Virginia, and attended Norfolk State College for two years, then attended Virginia State University (Big State) for one year.  Joseph was no stranger to working.  He retired from the United States Postal Service after 33 years delivering mail. His last route was Military Circle. In addition, he held many places of employment to support his family, which included operating a Pool establishment, working nights at Noldes Bakery, and working part time at Shorty’s Body Shop. He even tried Law Enforcement for a short period while in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Joe tried his hand at long distance truck driving until a truck jack-knifed.

While he was a member of Second Calvary, he worked with the New Members’ Class and sang in the Male Chorus, Senior Choir, Mass Choir, the Funeral Choir, and the Traveling Choir. He was a Trustee for over 40 years. Joe worked with the Bread Ministry, Picnic Committee, and was the Bus Coordinator for the church until his health prevented him.  He served on the Pulpit Committee and spent many hours ministering by phone to members. Joe loved and provided for his family. He along with his wife Mary, hosted the Stancil Family Reunion several years in Providence Square in Chesapeake, Virginia where most of his children were reared. He was involved in the community.  He was a Mason in King David Lodge #617, a member of the NAACP and the Elks. He even tried his hand at boxing, and refereeing games at the recreation centers in Liberty, Roberts, and Bowling Parks back in the day when those housing areas existed.  Some of Joseph’s famous names were “Boss Man”, “Shooby”, “Dad”, and “Daddy”.  He was predeceased by his Father and Mother; one Sister Anna Elizabeth Summerville-Smith; and two Brothers, Charles Linwood Summerville and Allan Neil Summerville.

He leaves to cherish his memory one daughter Denise R. Summerville-Barber of Woodbridge, Virginia from his union with the late Doloris Bryant-Summerville; one daughter, Janine Summerville-Ireland of Chesapeake, Virginia,  two sons, Joseph Lee Summerville, III (Raydell) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Windell Summerville (Emma) of Virginia Beach, Virginia; from his union with the late Jean Bryant-Summerville; one daughter Tracie Elizabeth Summerville from his union with Mary Battle Summerville; one brother, James Melvin Summerville of Williamsburg, Virginia, one sister-in-love Margaret Brown-Summerville of Chesapeake, Virginia; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.