Joseph I. "Joe" Meads, Sr.

   Joseph Irvin “Joe” Meads, Sr., 93, of 1104 West Grubb Street, Hertford, NC, died Saturday, June 1, 2024, in his home.

   Born (September 26, 1930) and raised on Meadstown Road in Pasquotank County, he was one of twelve children born to the late Matthew Mack and Gracie Baines Meads. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Tennie Reid, Erma Fields, Sarah Pierce, and Emma Meads, and by brothers, Mack, Elton, Richard, Earl, Jimmy, and Paul Meads.

   A former homebuilder and owner of Miller & Meads, Inc., at the time of his death he and his wife continued to own the Miller & Meads Mobile Home Park in Hertford. A founding partner of Albemarle Builders Supply in Elizabeth City, he had formerly been active in the Loyal Order of the Moose and the Elizabeth City Elks Lodge. He was a founding member of the Perquimans County Horse and Pony Club and through the years and as long as his health permitted, his love of riding and training horses brought him much enjoyment. He also loved a serious game of Spades and good game of Pool.

   Surviving is his family that he loved and was so proud of, including his “pretty little wife” of over 71 years, Irene Hunter Meads, and their children, Vickie Meads Winslow (Stanley), Jo Anne Meads Jones (Bernie), Joseph I. “Joey” Meads, Jr. (Beth Lane), all of Hertford, and Tony Hunter Meads (Julie) of Portsmouth, VA; his brother, Fred Meads (Frances) of Elizabeth City; 9 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and his “other son” Melvin Jackson. Also surviving are grandsons Matt and Nick’s mom, Elizabeth Meads, and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

   Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 5^th, at 2:00 p.m. in the Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Chapel, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, and will be conducted by his son, The Rev. Tony Meads. A private burial will be in Cedarwood Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home, or all other times at the residence.

   In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Jim “Catfish” Hunter ALS Foundation, P.O. Box 47, Hertford, NC 27944, or online at https://catfishfoundation.org.

   The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to his team of caregivers, Ronda Williams (who thought Joe was just adorable!), Nola Moss, and Cheryl Sawyer.

   Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.