Joseph Quentin Stringer

1973 - 2022

A loving and kind grandfather, dad, husband, mentor, brother and son, Joseph Stringer was taken suddenly from his family, Monday, Aug. 22, 2022. Joe was born Feb. 6, 1973. He was just 49-years-old when he died in Phoenix, Arizona. Joe, as the seventh child and fifth son, is survived by his mother, Darlene Stringer of Bolivar and his wife of 16 years, Penny Stringer-Morris of Phoenix, Arizona.
He is survived by a large family of his own choosing; his daughters, Renee Corbett-Mercer and her wife Wendy of Norris City, Illinois, and Brandi Corbett of Casa Grande, Arizona and her fiancé Edward Gonzalez; and his son, Shawn Corbett Jr. and his fiancé Hayley Ramirez of Norris City, Illinois. Joe adored his grandchildren, Sonja, Jenna, Chey, Ola, Trevor, Fredrick, Bili Jean all of Norris City, Illinois - all of whom will miss him deeply.
His surviving siblings include Lorena and Ricardo Rodriguez of Phoenix, Arizona; James and Roberta Stringer of Collins; Colleen and Ken Knight of Willard; Ira and Pam Stringer of Fair Play; Aaron and Johnna Stringer of Galena, Kansas; and sister-in-law Patty Stringer of Surprise, Arizona. His numerous nieces and nephews survive knowing how he loved to regale them with never-ending stories, humor and advice.
He was preceded in death by his loving father Stanford Stringer, oldest brother Shelton Stringer, and littlest angel nephew Donnie Wayne Knight.
During his life, Joe was saved by his Lord on March 5, 1986, and joined Goodson Missionary Baptist Church in Goodson. Joe graduated from Bolivar High School in 1992, and from Missouri State University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology. He was a lifelong learner and counselor to many kids and young adults, which he considered his family.
And it was family that introduced him to the love of his life, Penny Morris in 1977 when they were both only children. Penny's mom, Joan Morris and Joe's uncle, David Stringer married and created an instant extended family. Penny and Joe spent many summers together with cousins, friends and loved ones for the next 10 years. They were cousins-in-law and became best friends in life. Moving from Missouri to Oklahoma and Indiana, young love and children, and broken marriages caused their lives to have divergent paths for many years.
Joe and Penny were brought back together through a chance reconnection via email, after 17 years of separation. With the return of long-lost family memories and the reawakening of a strong friendship, Joe chose to be a loving family leader for his new wife and stepchildren on July 13, 2006, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Joe and Penny married on a hot summer day in his sister's backyard. This party was just the beginning of a unique journey of happiness melding family, friends, and children of family and friends. Joe was happiest when spending time with his chosen family.
Anyone who knew Joe, knows storytelling, counseling others, and bestowing his brilliant, yet critical thoughts on a vast variety of subjects brought him joy. He was an open-minded, vocal advocate of legal and human rights. He enjoyed studying diverse viewpoints and some, perhaps not all, of his readers will miss his opinions and posts on social media.
Joe used his talent of communication to develop creative training programs that will be used by future generations. He started his career in Instructional Design as a part-time instructor for his sister's newly founded training company. This prompted his move from Missouri to Arizona in 1997. It was his first of many steps in becoming a versatile developer of online training in a number of different industries, including aviation, healthcare, family care, and solar energy. He was the Senior Training Specialist of First Solar, based in Tempe, Arizona. Joe loved finding new ways to relay messages. He loved to turn phrases, write instructions and ascertain if learning occurred. He loved teaching. Most of his family, if not all, will say they learned a lot and will continue to learn, in his memory.
Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 29, at Pitts Chapel. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 29, at the chapel with Elder's Kenny Mallard and Dallas Stockdale officiating. Burial will follow at Goodson Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at greenlawnfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel in Bolivar.