Joseph Bernard Woodfork

Joseph was born Friday 10/21/83. He burst on the scene unexpected from day 1. He was the most beautiful baby boy. Curiosity being the only reason I was with his dad Darren Copeland, it would be just my luck - that on our 1st time - I was pregnant with Joseph. So we grew up - literally - together. He was in attendance at my high school graduation. It was him, his grandma Nita, and me. We were a unit. For both of us, he was our first real exposure to unconditional love. Being the 1st grand baby in the family Joseph was exposed to everyone for a time by himself. He grew and bonded with many like my Uncle, but it was my grand-dad that was the most positive and influential man in his life.
Joseph attended Newton Elementary, Coffee Middle and Henry Ford high school. It was off 7 mile, where Joseph met people that would become his friends - some for life.
He was known by many names over the years, Joseph, old man Joe, JoJo, and eventually became known as Street Lord Joe. He was most proud of that last one.
At 12 he came to know Christ and professed his salvation. Many witnessed his confession and the happiness it brought him. It was in church where he also met his first love Marie.
He got into pharmaceutical sales (the legit kind) at 19. It's here where his ability to sell was revealed. His commissions were through the roof. He then went on to work as a telemarketing sales agent soliciting donations for veterans.
I used to say Joseph you got to be good selling - you just selling feelings. You don't even have a product!!!
Again his commissions were through the roof. He led the pack on sales and he wrote the book on selling. Literally, they tried to model his sales technique to train others. But they couldn't - it was just his style and it worked just for him.
If any body here ever heard him on the phone, you knew. He put on his white voice, used this mad extended vocabulary and added a killer approach by calling the older ladies spring chickens - which would work for him like a charm. It was his sense of humor that separated himself from everyone. He was actually so funny he should have been a comedian (Mike Epps style) He was just a naturally funny man.
He also loved cars. He could name all the cars on the freeway. First car was a brown Lincoln continental. He would go on to buy and crash many cars. Many of them mine. He eventually bought his first brand new truck a Ford Explorer at the age of 20. He was happy.
Act 2 - The next 15 years.
Joseph eventually expanded his endeavors into working for himself but would always keep a job in his back pocket but he also dabbled in the streets. He took that skill of selling to every aspect of his life. Joseph could sell Nevahda to Nevada.
If you knew Joseph you knew this - he loved his momma, his grandma Nita, and his two little sisters Darian and Joya.
He was our number one fan. He never liked any men we were with- in his eyes, no one was good enough for his girls.
He fought for us, stood for us, from day one and never quit.
His strength and weakness lie in his feelings for family, God, money, and women - and If the balance between any of those was off - Joseph was off. He needed balance and harmony in all these things he valued - to thrive.
He judged his happiness and his success on this set of values and It would be in this area where Joseph struggled against himself and discovered his demons the most.
Act 3- The last 5 years I would say that the sensitivity to any out of balance condition grew stronger, more acute. He reacted quickly and sporadically and sometimes destructively to it. I am sure that many have gotten a call or text at 3 in the morning and talked in 3 hour blocks to prove it.
It was the last 20 years that he built up a network of friends and family that is truly incredible. He was a great middle man and mad resourceful. He knew everyone but could make you feel like you were the only one that mattered. I learned so much about him through the eyes of others. For that I am grateful.
Mal, G Rock, Maury, Zach, Brandi, Uncle Steve, Nacho, and many others you did him so proud and stood by him. I so appreciate you loving my son. No disrespect if I did not mention your name.
To Darian, his little sister, Joseph was her first friend. Darian be proud of the relationship you guys had. It was truly special to him. You rode with him when he needed it the most and took him as he was. He loved you and your babies Brooke, Dom, Blake and Blair - eventually Nick.
For Joya his younger sister he admired you so much and he was very proud of the woman you became. You matched him on his funny and his quick wit. You two used to crack me and Darian up.
He loved you and your girls Parker and Summer very much - eventually Mario.
For my Mom - you would get on his nerves sometimes, most times, but there was nothing he wouldn't do for you. Anywhere he went he took you with him. So much that he would also leave this earth in the same place he entered it - in your house.
As for me - For the majority of my life, he and I talked about everyone and mostly everything. There was a time when he knew me better than I knew myself. And then something was broken with us. We struggled trying to learn how to deal with the older new versions of ourselves. We loved each other but sometimes love requires correction and it caused friction.
It was in the midst of this state that you left me. In Joseph fashion you had the last word.
It was symbolic of you leaving me on Mother's Day for a meaning only you and I know - you are smiling about it right now.
Baby I am proud of the man you became over these 40 years. Your character is amazing - You left here in service to another. You are truly a king.
I love you always
Mama
Note: I never had a presence on social media and neither had Joseph.
Because of his impact- my first 2 Facebook friends were Josephs friends. It all came back full circle.
You were tired and God knew it. You are now at peace. Rest up my baby- You deserve it.
Special Message from Darian
To my brother, I am so very grateful that our souls met and decided to live life together as brother & sister. Even with me being younger I felt like your protector lol. We watched wrestling together, laughed together, well mostly me laughing at pretty much everything you said. We argued, we fought, we shared, & talked about everything. And almost every time I shared with you, I took some type of lost lol but I continued to share with you. You're my brother and I wanted to be there for you. We understood each other. You made me get vulnerable. You taught me so much because you were extremely intelligent. I trusted your opinion & you trusted mine. You could read someone like a book of one interaction. You were loyal and kind to me. You believed in me and my children. I'll miss you asking me do I miss you. Until we meet again, I will miss you forever.
Special message from Sco
My brother Joe! It's hard to say it because it just hurts to know. I'm SORRY MAN, but I can hear you saying I love you Esco man & that's one thing we always let each other know. I'll forever Love you & miss you my brother JOE
Get your rest bro Love; Sco
Special Message from G-Rock
My Mfing man Joe AKA Street Lord Joe I'm gone miss them 300 calls a day and 100 text messages about funny stuff from instagram and tons of Women sorry Tonia lol. Bro I went threw some of my toughest days with you catching the bus back and forth from Vegas to LA splitting subway sandwich's. You always geeked me up like Dog you g rock you need to start acting like him. I'm on my 3rd year sober and now I realize what you meant by that bro you would come to my house at 3:30 in the morning to pray for me and I'd be sitting in the car crying like a baby. You have no idea what that meant to me that I could be Gary with you not G rock. You never judged me and you know I never judged you unless you called about a damn girl lol. I feel like I've known you all my life,I appreciate you helping me remember whom I am and bro I promise to never forget you as long as I'm here Get your rest my brother Street Lord Joe,love your guy Street lord rizzy,Tonia (T-rock),Lil Gary,Patrick and as you would say STL Niya!!!!!!!