Lucile Townsend Joseph Tarver

Sept. 4, 1929 - Dec. 17, 2014 was born on September 4, 1929 in Fairmont, West Virginia. She departed this life on December 17, 2014. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Lena Townsend, and her daughter, Debra Joseph Hubbard. Lucile lived a full, vibrant and active life. She was a graduate of Parker High School and Tuskegee University. While raising three children, she received her master's degree in Physical Education from UCLA. Professionally, she excelled as a PE instructor empowering and guiding a countless number of students at Parker and Phillips High Schools before retiring from Birmingham City Schools. Before and during that time she was an active member of her church, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, a founding member of the Gay Countessas Social Club, a member of the Omicron Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a member of the Red Hat Society, and she taught tap and dance lessons. Lucile was also an avid bowler, an activity she participated in until the day before her death. Lucile had an unwavering and relentless love for family. She leaves to cherish her memory: a loving husband, Hosea Tarver; a devoted brother, Charles Townsend; sons, Anthony A. Joseph and Korda Joseph-Muhammad; daughter, Jalete Joseph Nelms; a special group of in-laws including sons-in-law, Samuel Nelms and the Rev. Colenzo Hubbard (Laverne); daughters-in-law, Cassandra Joseph and Jessica Joseph-Muhammad; 14 grandchildren: Charon, Caryn, Kevin, Justin, Aaron, Christopher, Khalil, Solomon, Aliyah, Safiyah, Samantha, Zoe, Diane and Debra; a great-granddaughter, Makayla; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Always generous with her lighthearted spirit, her time and her many talents, Lucile saw dance as a gift from God. She embraced it as a creative expression, a calling, a passion and a lifelong goal of movement and physical activity. Now she dances on that eternal stage with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Visitation will be Sunday, December 21, 2014 from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. at Smith & Gaston Southside Chapel. The Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony will take place at the beginning of visitation. The funeral service will be Monday, December 22, 2014 at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in downtown Birmingham at 11:00 A.M. The family will receive visitors prior to the service beginning at 10:00 A.M. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations can be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 228 Dennison Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35211.