Joseph Croft

Retired Real Estate Broker AUGUSTA, Ga. - Joseph Joe Bryon Croft, age 74, of Augusta, GA went to be with our Lord on August 28, 2011. He was at home after a well fought battle with Leukemia. He was a family man and was loved very much by his family and friends. Joe was born on December 24, 1936 in Fairfax, SC and moved to Augusta at the age of 5. He started his first job of delivering newspapers at the age of 11. He was a 1954 graduate of Academy of Richmond County, and a 1959 graduate of Palmer Business College. He was also in the Naval Reserves for 8 years. He is a member of TrueNorth Church, North Augusta, SC. Joe served for 20 years as Chief Operating Officer of Nordahl Realty, Inc. and Vice President of Nordahl Homes, Inc. His civic organizations include: Past President of LBC Jaycees; Past President of the Optimist Club of Augusta; and Past Director of Georgia District of Optimist International. Mr. Croft's professional organizations include: Past President and Charter Member of the Augusta/North Augusta Multiple Listing Service; Past President Greater Augusta Association of Realtors; Member of Greater Augusta Association of Realtors, 41 years; Charter Chairman of the Million Dollar Club; Past Director and Member of Georgia Association of Realtors, 41 years; Past Director Sales and Marketing Council of the Builders Association of Metro Augusta; former Member Builders Association of Metro Augusta; 1989 Realtor of the Year, Greater Augusta Association of Realtors; 1995 Manager of the Year, Sales and Marketing Council; Licensed Real Estate Broker with the Georgia Real Estate Commission, 38 years; Awarded Million Dollar Sales Award/Circle of Excellence, and Master's Club Award for numerous years by the Greater Augusta Association of Realtors; Presented multiple top sales and marketing awards by the Sales and Marketing Council of the Builders Association of Metro Augusta. Mr. Croft was preceded in death by his parents, Jennings Bryon Croft and Florrie Googe Croft; his brother, Jennings H. Croft; his sister, Vivian Croft Ussery; and his mother-in-law, Nellie J. Harrison. Survivors include: his loving and devoted wife, Emily Harrison Croft of Augusta, GA; his daughters: Kimberly Croft Ryan of North Augusta, SC and Karen Croft Odom (Robert) of North Augusta, SC; his grandchildren: Adam Jeffery Marshall of North Augusta, SC, Erica Elizabeth Marshall of Augusta, GA, Joseph Thomas Ryan of North Augusta, SC and Madison Leigh Odom of North Augusta, SC; his great-granddaughter: Cheyenne Grace Marshall of Augusta, GA; father-in-law: Braxton S. Harrison, Sr. of Augusta, GA; brother-in-law: Braxton S. Harrison, Jr. (Jan) of Wrens, GA. He is also survived by his nieces (who he loves as sisters): Carmen Ussery Morris (Jack) of Allendale, SC, Miriam Ussery Cook (Gene) of Allendale, SC, JoAnn Ussery Hill (Bruce) of Allendale, SC, Jewell Ussery Lucia (Joe) of Daytona Beach, FL, Melody Ussery Smith of Mays Landing, NJ and Debra Ussery of Irmo, SC; as well as 15 great-nieces/nephews; 28 great great-nieces/nephews; and 3 great, great, great nieces/nephews. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon in the chapel of Thomas Poteet and Son on August 31, 2011 with the Rev. Gene Jennings officiating. Burial will be held in Bellevue Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be: TSgt Bobby Ryan, and great nephews: John Broom, Tracy Cook, Barry Craig, Darrell Detrick, Derrick Detrick, John Hipp, Jack Leopard, III, Clay Morris, Joel Morris, Chris Rabon. Honorary Pallbearers will be ; Russ Nordahl, Nathan Youngblood, Jim Courson, Tom Sessions, Carlton McDonald, Phillip Brinson, Gene Mixon, Jimmy Glaze, Robert Murphy, Willie Beasley, Jimmy Findlay, Charles E. Benson, Paul Petersen, Sr., Terry Wasden, Rebecca McGinty, and Jose Torres. Special thanks to all of the Doctors, Nurses, and staff at MCG 5N/S and MCG Cancer Center; as well as Gene Jennings, Steve Davis, and Jay Knotts, pastors of TrueNorth Church. If so desired, memorials may be made to: MCG Cancer Center, 1120 15th Street, F1000, Augusta, GA 30912, to the attention of Clinical Programs, or TrueNorth Church, Awakening Campaign, 1297 W. Martintown Road, North Augusta, SC 29841. Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at: www.thomaspoteet.com The Augusta Chronicle-August 31, 2011