Joseph Monroe

It is with deep sadness that our family shares the passing of Joseph “Joe” Monroe, of Evans, Georgia on November 1, 2024. At 87, Joe leaves behind a life of unwavering love, kindness, loyalty, faith, and joy that will be treasured by all who knew him.

Joe was born on March 2, 1937, in Clearwater, South Carolina, to Ernest and Lillian Monroe. He grew up alongside his brothers, Bob Monroe, his twin, Charles Monroe, and the late Gene Monroe. Early on, Joe developed a love for sports and family that remained a constant throughout his life. He excelled as an athlete at Clearwater High School, earning a football scholarship to Clemson University.

During his time at Clemson, he met his first love, Rita Rhoden of Augusta, Georgia. Together, they built a beautiful life over 42 years, marrying in 1958 in the First Baptist Church of Augusta, raising three children, Cindy, Connie, and Dan, and leaving a legacy of love and service. Together they enjoyed many lifelong friendships, while also founding Monroe Services in 1964, which offered a range of services to their clients until 2003.

Despite the commitment required to run his own successful business, Joe always placed his family’s needs above his own. He coached little league football and soccer, attended dance recitals, never missed a football game, and celebrated every graduation in person. Joe delighted in all the achievements and milestones of his children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren. However, his light shined the brightest as he cared for Rita during her ten year battle with cancer and his son's fight with cancer in 2020. 

Joe was also deeply committed to serving his community. He was president of the Belvedere Jaycees in South Carolina, later joining the Rotary Club of Columbia County in Georgia, acting in leadership roles and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Joe volunteered when asked for community sports events. was president of the Evans High School Booster Club and he was the first to step up to lead the concession team. Joe always found time for a round of golf, except on Saturday afternoons when he was watching his Clemson Tigers. To Joe, every season was football season and he will be remembered for his pride for his team– Go Tigers! 

In 2003, Joe found love again and married Donna Gallup with whom he shared a wonderful retirement filled with travel, golf, cards, marbles, and cherished moments in the North Carolina mountains. Together, they were active members of the First Baptist Church of Augusta and members of the Caring Co-Eds Sunday School Class. Even as Joe’s body failed him, his spirits were always brightened by his faith in the Lord, the love of his family, and a good, sarcastic joke. He lived by the teachings of Deuteronomy, and let his faith be his guiding light, a light that he passed down to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Donna Monroe; his children, Cindy Alexander (JD), and Connie Levy (Tom); his grandchildren, Britton Alexander Grimes (Kyle) of Bradenton, FL; Keaton Griffin (Tom) of Lakeland, FL; Dalton Slantis of Augusta, GA; Kelsey Slantis of Augusta, GA; Chip Levy of St. Augustine, FL; Wyatt Monroe of Lake Wales, FL; and his treasured great-grandchildren, Alexander Grace Grimes and Breit Eleanor Griffin. Joe is also survived by Donna’s children, Kelly Gallup of Tybee Island, GA and Daverin Wells (Kevin) of Grovetown, GA. 

The family would like to thank the staff at Doctors Hospital on 4East and SouthEast Hospice for their exceptional and loving care of Joe. 

A celebration of Joe’s life will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church of Augusta’s Storey Chapel with Dr. Will Dyer officiating. 

The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to First Baptist Church of Augusta, Benevolent Fund, 3500 Walton Way Ext., Augusta, GA 30909, in honor of Joe’s life of service, faith, and love at the church.