Joseph S. "Joe" Elmore, age 90, of Reform, AL, a longtime coach, teacher, and school principal in Pickens County passed on August 27, 2021 peacefully to rejoin his wife Daryle of 69 years. Funeral arrangements will be a private family service followed by a graveside interment open to visitors at 2:00 pm Thursday, September 2, 2021 at Greenhill Memorial Gardens with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. The family requests masks be worn. A short visitation will follow at the graveside.
He is survived by his four children and their spouses, Randy (Linda) Elmore, Robin (Rocky) Craft, Rita (Bill) West, Roxanna (Rod) Mooney; nine grandchildren, Joshua Elmore (Michelle), Joseph Elmore, Chelsea Hamlin (Andy), Jake Craft, Will West, Joanna West, Blake Elmore (Kelley), Hogan Ricks and Holland Ricks; and five great-grandchildren Nola Elmore, Gentry Elmore, Emma Elmore, Andrew Hamlin, and Elizabeth Hamlin. He has two surviving brothers, George (Carol) Elmore and Larry (Martha) Elmore and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews, He was preceded in death by his Elmore brothers, Vernon, Bernard, J.T., Hayes, Doug and sister, Mary Maudine Larson. He was a graduate of Pickens County High School, the University of North Alabama (UNA), and held a Masters Degree from the University of Alabama. He was an outstanding football player at UNA gaining All American honors among Division II schools, inducted into the UNA Hall of Fame, and named to the All Decade team for the 1950s. Some of his records at UNA stood for 50 years. After college he served in the Army as a lieutenant at Ft. Gordon, GA and completed his career in the National Guard becoming a battalion commander for the 31st Support Battalion, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel. He was a faithful member of the Church of Christ serving as a lifelong Sunday school teacher, elder, and preached for many years at the North Pickens church and later at the Highway 69 congregation in Columbus MS. He was an avid golfer and competitive tennis player for many years. He is remembered as a devoted husband and loving parent who gave a life of selfless service to his church and community, positively impacting hundreds of people throughout his life. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to your choice of charities. The family is grateful for all the many friends and loved ones' condolences.