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LANDRUM—Joseph (Joe) Lee Becknell, 73 of Landrum, passed away Thursday, July 6, 2023 at the Charles George VA Medical Center, Valor Hospice Unit due to complications of MSA & dementia.

Joe was born May 7, 1950, to Donald Hampton and Sylvia Gaines Becknell of Landrum.

Joe graduated Landrum High School in 1969 while he was in the Navy reserves. Joe was active duty for a short time in the US Navy in 1970.

Joe worked with Spartan Mills, starting with opening cotton at the Whitney plant to becoming a plant superintendent at Beaumont Mills. During this time Joe began working with the Spartanburg Federal Credit Union, where he eventually served on the Board of Directors. Joe worked at Arkwright and Mount Vernon Mills as head of weave room, to HR and lastly IT.  

Joe was a lifelong member of Ingleside Baptist Church where he faithfully served 38 years as church treasurer at Ingleside Baptist Church. Joe was also Registrar and Treasurer for Foothills Theological Schools for many years.

In high schoo, Joe’s hobbies were building fast cars and drag racing. Later, few surpassed Joe’s knowledge of the X-files. Joe always enjoyed drawing and building his huge HO model train layout and drinking coffee.

After retirement, added to his hobbies were country music, drinking more coffee and cutting grass.

Joe was predeceased by his father, Donald Hampton Becknell. His mother, Sylvia Gaines Becknell, 93, still resides in Landrum. Joe is survived by his wife of 47 years, Doris Strange Becknell of Landrum. He is also survived by his, daughter, Kelly Lee Smith of Atlanta, Ga., and a son, Lee Hampton Becknell ( Michele), of Startex, SC. ; 3 grandchildren, Kaia A Smith, 19 of Landrum, Zaylia Smith, 15 of Atlanta and Madison Rose Becknell, 2 of Startex. Surviving siblings include brothers, Donnie Becknell (Debbie), of Campobello, Jim Becknell ( Freida) of Greer, surviving sisters, Phyllis Burns (Terry) of Greer and Joy Plumley (Bill) of Lake Hartwell. 

Joe dearly loved his family and will be sorely missed, until we meet again.

The family will be at the home, where Joe will lie in state until visitation at Ingleside Baptist Church, Monday, July 10, 10am to 11am. Service will follow at 11am, conducted by Dr. Shane Ezell and Dr. Ansel Pace, concluding with a private gravesite service at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Landrum, SC

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joe’s memory may be made to Ingleside Baptist Church, 19000 Asheville Hwy, Landrum, SC, 29356 or to the Charles George Medical Center, 1100 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC, 28805, c/o Valor Hospice Unit.    

 

Petty Funeral Home

Landrum, SC