Joe Roark

Joseph “Joe” Losson Roark, age 90 of Jefferson, passed away peacefully at home on October 8, 2025. Mr. Roark was born to Glen and Mary Roark on August 11, 1935. Mr. Roark is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Pauline Trivette Roark; his children – Gale and Ben Jones of Creston; Dean and Beth Roark of Millers Creek; Beth and Jerry Blevins of Lansing; Lane and Lenore Roark of Rock Creek; and Fawn Roark of West Jefferson. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

He was a devout husband, father, and friend who loved the Lord. After he gave his life to Jesus Christ in 1967, he started the Sunday School at Ben Bolen Baptist Church the very next week where he taught every Sunday for more than 50 years. He loved leading singing there, especially Beautiful Star of Bethlehem and other songs in the red back hymnal. He loved to share the gospel, and that “every word in the Bible is true and you can take that to the bank.”

Mr. Roark was an avid hunter, fisher, and trader for most of his life, but loved God’s Word and his family even more than the largest trout from Three Top Creek or hunting throughout the mountain hollers. He lived his life as a strong provider working at Thomasville Furniture for 43 years after finishing his peacekeeping mission in the Army in Germany. He was a family man who ensured those he loved were cared for. He loved seeing his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren come home at Christmas and gather around him to hear him read the story of the birth of Jesus from the Bible. He had a special gift of loving those he cared about, and making most feel special as though they were his favorite.

His family remembers that he was dependable, always as good as his word, and lived what he taught. He was a memory maker from playing a tough game of checkers with his children or nephews to letting his kids and grandkids touch his flat top haircut. They always knew he played to win and be the best while expecting them to be the same. Favorite memories also include feeding his Treeing Walker hunting dogs with him in the evenings to riding through deep snow drifts in the old Jeep with him to the family home in the holler every winter. He loved greatly and lived fully. Well done, good and faithful servant.

The family will receive family and friends at Ben Bolen Baptist Church on Sunday, October 12, 2025 at 2 p.m. followed by funeral services at 3 p.m. with Elder Frank Rash and Elder Tommy Dollar to officiate. Burial will follow in the Roark Family Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the Roark Family Cemetery Fund, c/o Paula Perry, 280 Perry Road, West Jefferson, NC 28694.

Condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.mountaincityfh.com.

The family of Joseph “Joe” Roark has entrusted his services to Mountain City Funeral Home, 224 S. Church Street, Mountain City, TN 37683.