A Beautiful Life Story

REV. DR. JEFFERY JOSEPH, SR. was born in Jennings, Louisiana on April 12, 1929 to the proud parents of Rev. Joe Joseph, Sr. and Olivia Comier Joseph. He was raised on a farm in a strong God Fearing home. He completed his early education in Jennings, Louisiana and graduated from Jeff Davis Paris Training School.

Dr. Joseph accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age under the pastorate of his father Rev. Joe Joseph, Sr. in Jennings, Louisiana. He loved the Lord Jesus Christ and was active in his father’s church.

Dr. Jeffery Joseph fell in love with a red hair girl name Addie Coleman as a child, he never took his eyes off her until she said “I DO” together they had thirteen children. He was a great provider for his wife, when you saw Dr. Joseph you saw Sis. Joseph. He took care of his children, he would joke from time to time saying most men who have run away from all of those children. He never wanted his wife to work, he was happy being a provider for his family, he was from a time period were men took care of their wives. Sis. Joseph always stood by his side and was a strong child of God. Dr. Joseph and Sis. Joseph were married Sixty-Eight Years, until his wife Sis. Addie Joseph (PeeWee) went home to be with the Lord on June 26, 2017. He truly loved his wife and his family, and truly was a great man.

Dr. Joseph was called to Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ at an early age, when he was twenty years of age he preached a sermon on the radio in Louisiana entitled “Out of One Blood God Created All Mankind” this message enraged the white community causing many black preachers to run to his father’s house stating “This boy is going to get us all killed”. Dr. Joseph always had a heart for his people and Civil Rights work. Dr. Joseph’s Church Marrs Memorial Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky held many Civil Rights Demonstrations, Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. was in attendance for one of the Services. He received the Pen from Government of Kentucky that was used to sign Public Accommodation for all people. The Mayor of Louisville presented him with the Key to the City of Louisville. Dr. Joseph started an Organization called “Operation Selma”. He Charted two airplanes, one of which picked up Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Rev. Ralph Abernathy and others to take them to the March on Selma, He gave Dr. M.L. King over Seven Thousand Dollars to help in the movement. He was good friends with Rev. A. D. King (Rev. Martin’s Brother). The last time Dr. Joseph and Dr. A.D. King were in jail together due to the Civil Rights Movement, he told his friend A.D. “I’m going to overcome in the morning, I’m moving to California”. Dr. A.D. King conducted a Revival for Dr. Joseph at his church (New Heaven MBC) when he moved here to California.

Dr. Joseph and his wife loved attending and participating in the National Baptist Convention. Later he became a member of the Progressive Baptist Convention. He was on the front line when The Progressive Baptist Convention begun. He was never a man to sit back quietly nor was he afraid to speak his mind, he would always tell you the truth whether you wanted to hear it or not. Sometimes his words would rub people the wrong way putting some friendships in jeopardy but he truly love everyone. Then when he would Preach, he would say with Power “I, I, I, Know He’s Alright”. Dr. Joseph has walked with many Great Men, Dr. Martin L. King, Dr. Gardner Taylor, Dr. Andrew Young, Dr. Jessie Jackson, Rev. J. Raymond Henderson, Rev. Thomas Kilgore, Jr. and the list really goes on and on. Dr. William Augustus Jones, Jr. of Brooklyn, NY one of his best friends as they spoke on the phone at least five times a week.

Dr. Joseph truly loved helping young preachers and often welcomed young preachers to preach from his pulpit. Dr. Joseph allowed Rev. Terry Anderson pastor of Lilly Grove MBC of Houston Texas as a young man to preach many Revivals at his churches (New Haven MBC and Westminister MBC). Pastor Joseph often pastored more than one church at a time. He tried to convince Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) not to walk away from Christianity after he receive a call from his Mother Mrs. Clay to speak with Cassius. (he told Cassius, he would be Champion). Dr. Joseph was closed friends with the family and Mrs. Clay often bake pies for him and his wife. Mr. Clay painted the baptismal mural at Marrs Memorial BC of Louisville, Kentucky where Dr. Joseph pastored. When he left Marrs Memorial his members were so distraught they gave Dr. Joseph a Life-Time Calling at Marrs Memorial Baptist Church.

Dr. Joseph gave the Helpful Hints for the Baptist Minister Conference of Los Angeles for many years. He was President of NE Valley Minister’s Fellowship until 2025. He was a Moderator for the Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Association. Dr. Joseph has preached Revivals all over the United States as well as in Korea, England, France. In Korea over 680 souls were saved through his ministering the gospel. He was called to Pastor Westminister Baptist Church. He pastored both New Haven and Westminister simultaneously. Dr. Joseph built two churches before the age of 35 in Louisville, Ky. One of which was mentioned in the newspaper for being one of the most modern churches of it’s time. Dr. Joseph also spoke French what a soldier for Jesus Christ. He has been an Active supporter of S.C.L.C. and a Lifetime Member of N.A.A.C.P. He is a Graduate of Simmons University of Louisville Kentucky. He has received many honorary Doctorate Degrees. In September 2019, Dr. Joseph’s grandson LaVell Thompson Jr. was on set with TIME Magazine for a reenactment of the march on Washington in 1963. After overhearing his grandson stating that his grandfather marched with MLK, they also had Dr. Joseph come on set. Now at DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in Chicago, Dr. Joseph and his grandson are walking side by side in the virtual reality march. The Lord allowed Dr. Joseph to do many great works and we Praise God for it.

Dr. Joseph answered the call of the Lord and departed this life on Saturday, March 07, 2026 around 4:21 p.m. He is preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Joe Joseph, Sr. and Sis. Olivia Joseph, his wife, Sis. Addie C. Joseph, Son, Bro. Bryan P. Joseph, Daughter, Sis. Olivia A. Joseph, grandson Rev. Phineas Turner, Jr., great-grand daughter Lorry Denise Guilbeaux, great-grand son Brandon…… Brothers and Sisters: Eugene, Matilda, Joshua, Jacqueline, Lee Butler, Eva, Laura, Amelia, Verlie, Pearlie, Joe Jr., Herman, Lursey, Miller, T-Mat and Regina.

Dr. Joseph leaves to cherish his memory: Six Daughters: Debby Joseph, Yolanda White of Texas, Lemoyne Joseph, Kimberly Turner of Texas, Launita Joseph Walker (DeVon), Lorry Lawrence, Five sons: Fred Joseph (Carol), Rev. Jeffery Joseph, Jr. Michael Joseph, Lonnie Joseph (Stacy) Rev. Shawn Joseph, Sr. (Geva), One Sister Dorothy Davis of Texas, Two Sister in Laws, Josephine Beverly of Jennings of Louisiana, and Oreatha Joseph Dunwooty. He has a combined total of over One hundred and Fifty grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives, friends, and The officers and members of the New Heaven Missionary Baptist Church Family.

“A FATHER THAT WILL LIVE ON FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS