Joseph Henry Hoffman

Joseph Henry Hoffman
ASHEVILLE -- Mr. Hoffman, 77, died Monday, February 16, 2004, at Givens Estates. He was a wonderful loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. His sense of humor made life joyful. Many of us were blessed to walk part of life's journey with Joe. His strong Christian faith was shared with everyone he met.
Mr. Hoffman was born in Lincoln County and was a son of the late William F. and Inez Crowell Hoffman. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Laura H. Smith. He was class president of the 1943 class of Lincolnton High School and maintained his relationship with his fellow graduates through the years by actively participating in reunions.
Joe was a member of Abernethy United Methodist Church where he held many positions of leadership. He was especially active in the Forum Sunday School Class. He served on the Board of Directors for Caring for Children and was a Loaned Executive for BASF with the United Way. He served as a radio operator with the US Navy during WW II and the Korean Conflict and then attended and graduated from NC State University in 1949. He moved to Asheville in 1956, and retired in 1991 from BASF where he worked as a textile chemist.
Survivors are his wife of 48 years, Alice Braxton Hoffman; one daughter Laurie Little and her husband Tommy of Charlotte; two sons, the Rev. Joseph H. Hoffman, Jr. of Asheville and Walter F. Hoffman and his wife Ann of Lexington, NC; five grandchildren, T.J. Little, Greg Little, Will Little, Alex Little and Emma Claire Hoffman; one sister, Mary H. Heavner and her husband Carroll of Lincolnton; one brother, William F. Hoffman and his wife Phyllis of Lincolnton; and two brothers-in-law, James O. Smith of Gastonia and Lawrence Braxton of Waynesville.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Abernethy United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Henry R. 'Rusty' Inman and the Rev. Dr. John Christy officiating. Burial will follow at Green Hills Cemetery. His family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Abernethy United Methodist Church, 1418 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28806, or to the Memory Assessment and Elderly Resource Center, 2360 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28803.
The memorial register is available at 'Obituaries' at www.grocefuneralhome.com.