Joe Benton Hartis

Surrounded by his loving family, Joe Benton Hartis, 98, passed away on March 18, 2026. Joe entered this world on September 29, 1927, in Indian Trail, North Carolina, son of the late Ruth and Burdett Hartis.

Joe spent his youth attending Indian Trail School where his accomplishments as a student enabled him to spend the last two years of high school at Oak Ridge Military Institute in Oak Ridge, NC. In 1943, Joe received an appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. Toward the end of World War II, he left school one semester shy of graduation and served his country a s a Cadet Midshipman until his ship was hit by a mine near the coast of Italy. Returning to the United States with his damaged ship, Joe chose to return home in order to begin the building of his career and family. After an initial start with Southern Appliances, he served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Upon his return, he joined the printing business a t Dowd Press, ultimately using that knowledge to begin his lifelong career as Executive Vice President at Jones and Presnell Studios. Following his retirement, he kept in touch with several of his former photographers and managers until his last days.

Joe and Irene ultimately found their home at Wedgewood Baptist Church where they raised their girls. At Wedgewood, Joe served as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the choir and served on various committees within the church. He spent many years as a deacon which included terms as chairman of the deacon board. During his retirement, he and Irene moved their membership to First Baptist Matthews where they were actively involved in their Senior Adult Sunday School class.

As successful as he was in business, Joe was first and foremost a man who cherished his wife of 76 years and adored his daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Nothing pleased him more than seeing his daughters remain close, and he was thrilled that his grandchildren continue to share a close bond with one another. He began the family tradition of yearly beach trips with his entire family, and to this day, in some form, those trips continue despite the challenges of growing families and busy family lives. Once Joe's health began to take its toll and he could no longer travel, he took delight in hearing of the trips that his growing family would take. Being an amateur but avid photographer, he enjoyed seeing all the photographs and watching the videos that were taken on these adventures; he lived for the tales of his families' trips near and far.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Irene Sowers Hartis and his devoted daughters, Debbie Yancey (Lindsay) of Winston- Salem, N C and Cindy Katzman (Craig) of Charlotte, NC. Joe leaves behind a legacy of love for his four grandchildren: David Yancey (Briana), Melissa Frazier (Matt), Joel Yancey (Kristen) and Michael Katzman (Katie), all of Charlotte, NC. He was blessed to be able to enjoy eight beautiful great grandchildren: Elizabeth Yancey, Olivia Frazier, Natalie Yancey, Bennett Frazier, Connor Yancey, Caroline Yancey, Samuel Katzman and William Katzman.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the nurses and staff of Matthew's Health and Rehab Center who cared for Joe on a daily basis and to the caregivers of VIA Hospice who were dedicated in providing comfort care when it was needed the most.

A private family graveside service will be held at Sharon Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to

First Baptist Matthews

185 S. Trade Street

Matthews, NC 28105

OR

Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute

1021 Morehead Medical Drive

Charlotte, NC 28204