Hattie L. Joseph

Hattie L.
Joseph
UTICA, NY
Mrs. Hattie Lee (Strickland) Joseph died at home on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at the age of 89, with her loving children around her. Hattie was born on August 31, 1925, at home, along the former Rural Route 1, Dunn, North Carolina. She was the first of five children born to Aulie and Maude (Williams) Strickland. As a teenager, she was allowed to travel north by train to visit relatives. It was on the return trip south that her life would be forever changed. On the train she met Sgt. Anthony Joseph USMC. Having turned him down when asked by the Marine for her full name and address, Tony was able to obtain her mailing info off her luggage. Letters were later exchanged, visits from Camp Lejeune to the "home place" occurred and a typical wartime romance ensued. In a short span of months, Hattie and Tony boarded a bus in Dunn, NC. Her father had driven them to the depot. The bus headed south to Dillon, SC, where they were married by a Justice of the Peace on October 9, 1943. Tony was shipped out to the Pacific Theater the following year and their first born arrived in Dunn Hospital on February 26, 1945, a son. They were reunited in late 1945. The baby was their world. With better job prospects up north, in 1946 they moved to Utica, her husband's home town. There they were blessed with three more children. In 1957, with her youngest about to start school, Hattie started working for Sperry Rand/ UNIVAC. She retired after twenty years of service. While there, Hattie received stipends for her ingenuity and process improvement recommendations. In the 1960's, some of her tape room work went into space on NASA flights. At home, Hattie was a dynamo. She tackled jobs involving painting, tiling and wallpapering. Dust and dirty floors had no chance. She kept the house as neatly as possible. Everything had to be in its place. In the kitchen, Hattie was an excellent cook and baker. Her southern food flair and mastery of the Lebanese cuisine put a smile on everyone's face. Her family mattered, especially around the holidays. She enjoyed this time of the year. Her faith sustained her. Ms. Hattie is survived by three children, Mora and her husband, Bill Milham of Utica, Sharon and her husband, Steve Payne, of Cassville, and LCDR Peter L. Joseph of Ormond Beach, FL; a brother, Harold Strickland of Dunn, NC; her loving grandchildren, Michele Milham of Chandler, AZ, William and Gayle Milham of Syracuse, Deborah (Milham) and Melvin Hathaway of Clifton Park, Melissa and Mike Milham-Wilkosz of Whitesboro, Leigh and Scott Lipkin of Mt. Airy, GA, Peter and Amber Joseph of Edenton, NC, and Jessica Joseph of Philadelphia; thirteen great-grandchildren, McKenna and Karrington Milham-Shankster, Brandon and Julia Milham, Ava and Addison Milham-Hathaway, Matthew, Alexander and Isabella Wilkosz, Jane and Camden Joseph, Amber Payne and Anthony Angell; sisters-in-law, Rose Enjem and Peggy Strickland; brother-in-law, Francis Joseph; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Tony; son, Anthony Mark Joseph; brothers, Lloyd and Charles Strickland; sister, Lois Warren; sisters-in-law, Norma and Betty Strickland; and brother-in-law, John Warren. The Liturgy of the Divine Faithful Departed will be celebrated by Chor-Bishop John Faris on Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Louis Gonzaga. She will be laid to rest beside her husband and son at Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call on Friday (today) from 5 to 7 p.m. with the Prayer of the Incense being sung at 6:45 p.m. at The Matt Funeral Home, 700 Rutger St., corner of Mohawk St., Utica. The family of Hattie would like to express their sincere appreciation to the nurses and staff of Hospice and Palliative Care for their kindness and support. Maryanne, MaryEllen, Irene and Ann were wonderful. Also, the family is grateful to the staff of St. Luke's Home (Barton North) for their efforts while our Mom resided there. To Kera, Connie and Dianne, many thanks. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Hattie's name may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. Envelopes will be available. Online memorials at MattFuneralHome.com "Give life your best, you'll never regret it." She did just that.