Paschal "Joe" Joseph Stephenson

Paschal Joseph "Joe" Stephenson Sr., Age 102, of Cambridge, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at Southeastern Medical Center in Cambridge, Ohio. Joe was born November 26, 1920, to the late Jacob and Hilda Stephenson in Ballards Valley, Jamaica.

Joe enjoyed riding his bicycle for exercise, drinking scotch, and traveling mostly to his birth country of Jamaica. Joe was a person who believed in others and had so much knowledge to offer to his family and communities. He started his own construction company and taught many the trade of welding and plumbing. Joe owned a night club in Cambridge, Pinegrove Dance Land, which most remember as Joe's Hole. Joe had a deep passion for community involvement. He started the Feed My People Program in the early 80's and continued to help ease hunger in his community. Grace Pantry was also established and both organizations continue to serve the community.

He received many community awards including Man of the Year, Cambridge Heritage Determination Award, Guernsey County Association of Churches, and the Martin Luther King Community Award.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by sixteen siblings, his son, Paschal Stephenson Jr., and great grandson, Sylvester Kelly Williams (Tre).

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of thirty-eight years, Jenny Stephenson of Cambridge, one sister, Beverley Bent of England, his daughters, Doraleen Kiza of MI,  Lisa Ekong of MI, Dianne (OC) Campbell of Cambridge, Stephanie Saunders of GA, his son, Michael (Esther) Halmon of FL, fourteen grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and many nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be mailed to Feed My People at P.O. Box 151 Cambridge, Ohio 43725, and Grace Pantry at P.O. Box 1435 Cambridge, Ohio 43725.

Thorn Black Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be held on Thursday January 26, 2023, from 11AM-1PM at Christ Lutheran Church, 1101 Steubenville Ave, Cambridge, Ohio, 43725. Funeral Services will follow at 1PM with Pastor Katrina Hawkins-Bowles and Rev. Randolph White officiating. Burial will take place at Northwood Cemetery in Cambridge.