Joseph Harvey, Jr. Obituary

Joseph Harvey, Jr., lovingly and affectionately referred to as “Daddy”, “Tinkerbell”, “Mr. H” or “Joe Harvey”, departed his mortal life on Friday, August 15, 2025, at Woodbine Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Alexandria, VA. Joe was a beloved husband, father, and friend. He was known for his kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to helping others. He was a jokester and had a great “comeback” in conversation. He loved collecting things: writing pens which were shared with coworkers, Hess Toy trucks, and bobbleheads from Washington Nationals games.

Joe was born in Richmond, VA on September 12, 1952, to the union of the late Joseph Harvey, Sr., and Gertrude H. Woodson. He was preceded in death by his brother, Donald Edward Glenn. At an early age, Joe accepted Christ into his life when he joined and was baptized at Triumphant Baptist Church in Richmond. He was a faithful and a proud member of the church choir.

Joe received his early education in the City of Richmond Public Schools. He graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1972 where he was a member of the football team. Subsequent to high school, Joe was employed at Reynolds Metals Company. On August 6, 1983, Joe was united in holy matrimony to a proud and always “stylish” young woman, Cynthia Clarke. God’s grace and mercy blessed them to celebrate forty-two years together as husband and wife. They were later blessed with the gift of a loving daughter, Ashley Harvey.

Joe moved to Northern VA in 1984 to become one of the first of eighteen African American Virginia State Troopers in Division 7, Area 45, serving until 1986. He then spent twenty-four years at Greyhound Lines, Inc. before working as a Smith System Defensive Driver Safety Trainer with several motor carrier companies, including DC Trails where he worked until May 2025.

Joe’s life was filled with a circle of friends. Together, they enjoyed bowling and playing Bid Whist and going to Washington Redskins and Washington Nationals games. Just like Oprah, Joe’s favorite things, people, and places were Weenie Beenie half-smokes, Ben’s Chili Bowl, Luther Vandross, Frankie Beverly, meticulously detailing his vehicle, grape/orange soda, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and UConn Women’s Basketball team.

Joe leaves to cherish his wife, Cynthia; daughter, Ashley; devoted cousins, Stanley Lambert and Diane Christopher; devoted friends, Juliette Green and Helen Hurte, Melany Clarke-Moore, James and Linda Brinkley, and John and Larneil Vaughter; his DC Trails family; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Services will be held 12 Noon, Friday, August 29, 2025, at First Baptist Church Centralia, 2920 Kingsdale Road, North Chesterfield, VA, Minister Gregory Gallop, Jr., eulogist, Deacon Thomas J. Branch, Jr., officiant. The interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.