Dea. Joseph W. Giles

Joseph William Giles, affectionately known as “Joe”, was born on August 14, 1935, in Hanover County, Virginia to James Peter and Mary Elizabeth Giles. He was preceded in death by his parents and seven of his eight siblings: Thomas, Frank, James, Isaac, Agnes, Verlanda and Henry.

Joe graduated from John M. Gandy High School, Ashland, VA, where he focused his studies in the field of agriculture. As a continuous learner, he regularly increased his knowledge by taking various courses which were related to his employment.

Following high school, Joe could have chosen career paths that would have required that he relocate away from home. However, he chose to remain in Hanover where he could care for his elderly parents.

Joe pursued several career opportunities to include Colony House Furniture Company, E. R. Carpenter and finally Reynolds Metals Company. He held a number of positions within the company and was ultimately promoted to the position of Warehouse Supervisor until he retired with over 30 years of dedicated service.

Joe was baptized at an early age at Bethany Baptist Church, Montpelier, VA, where he grew into a man of strong faith. He was often sought after for his relevant words of wisdom. After many years of faithful service at Bethany, he joined Trinity Baptist Church, Richmond, VA. He was an active member of several church ministries, including but not limited to: Diaconate Ministry, Trustee Board, Ushers’ Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Transportation Ministry and Sunday School Ministry.

Like his father, he was passionately civic-minded and held leadership positions within several organizations: Hanover County Branch NAACP, Virginia Baptist State Laymen’s League, Virginia Baptist State Convention Lifelong Member, Pride of Hanover Lodge #264 Prince Hall Masons (where he was a 50 year member), Hanover County Democratic Party, Democratic Poll Worker and other organizations.

On August 31, 1956, he married Ruth Morris Williams, who was the love of his life. Out of that union blossomed two daughters, Sherry Colette and Josandra Lynne. Joe was truly a family man to the extent that in 1977, he organized the FIRST Giles Family Reunion which was instrumental in bringing together family from all over the United States, and he was pinned the Family Historian. Because of Joe, 40 years later, his legacy lives on and the family is still brought together in-person or virtually.

Joe is survived by his wife of over 65 years, Ruth Williams Giles; his two daughters, Sherry Giles Easter (Tony) and Josandra Giles-Faniel (Dwight); four grandchildren, Dana Marissa Giles, Kristen Sherice Easter Brooks (Davante), Anthony Joseph Easter (Candice), Magan Alexis Hendrick, and he was blessed to gain three additional grandchildren, Jon Micah Faniel, Tinner Leroy Faniel and Amber Monique Faniel; two great-grandchildren, Kameron Elizabeth Giles-Morris and Kaleb Alexander Giles-Morris; one remaining sibling, Estellena Giles Ridges, who’s blessed to be 101 years young. To this large, loving family, he leaves to cherish his memory a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Because Joe has never met a stranger, he also leaves a number of dedicated neighbors and friends.