Joe Daniel McEachern

In the early hours of March 4th, 2016, Joe Daniel McEachern (age 79) peacefully moved on after a courageous battle with cancer. He passed away in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by his loving family and dear friends and his five, ever faithful canine companions.
Joe McEachern was born on April 20, 1936, in Thurston, Alabama. He was the youngest of five children to parents, Annie Mae-Brown and Daniel Carlie McEachern.
From a young age Joe was an incredibly generous, hard-working man and at only 16 he received a prestigious Alabama State Star Farmer award. He continued to grow and nurture these skills throughout his life, and was well known for his amazing garden, in which he often shared his knowledge and the fruits of his labor with those around him.
Among his many talents, photography proved to be his real passion and would lead to his lifelong career beginning in 1954. For over 60 years he worked to establish his own successful photography business, serving over 300 schools from Florida to Tennessee, which lives on to this day. Taking thousands of school day photos of children across the south, Joe possessed a unique talent for being able to bring a smile to even the most reluctant of subjects, no one could resist his charm and warm sense of humor.
An amazing life, he could recall the fascination of seeing his very first light bulb, remembering how brightly it could shine through the dark. Now, we remember him for the same reasons.
Joe was a blessing to many recovering alcoholics and drug addicts. He celebrated 23 years of sobriety and in his true Christian spirit, he nurtured, counseled, and provided for people in need of a friend and mentor. He served on the board of the CED Fellowship House in Gadsden for many years. He was an advocate for all who suffered from alcoholism and addiction, and provided hope and inspiration for those who needed it most.
Farmer. Craftsman. Photographer. Businessman. Survivor. Husband. Father. "Pop Pop." Shine on.
Joe is survived by his loving wife, Jewell Dean McEachern; five children, Joe Daniel McEachern II, Julie Janoan McEachern-Havens (Frank), James Robert McEachern, Danny Joe McEachern (Jana) Steve Nelson (Melanie), Teri Quinn; close sister, Mary Willa Richards, and his canine companions, Bambie, Butters, Cookie, Dee-Dee, and Muffin.
Funeral service is at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 6, 2016, at Collier-Butler Chapel. The Rev. Randy Gunter will officiate. Burial will be at Williams Southside Memorial Park. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services is directing.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m. prior to the service.
Pallbearers will be Sam Ellison, Bobby Bell, Patrick Huselton, Randy Rowell, Greg Gibson, and Daniel Maples.
Honorary pallbearers are Steve Taylor and Keith Dowdy.
Special thanks to the very caring Hospice care team from Amedisys Home Health of Gadsden; and a heartfelt thanks to close family friends, Donna Marshall and Debi Maples.
Online condolences may be made at www.collier-Butler.com.