Joe Thomas McFerrin, 86, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away June 22, 2023.

Among other things, he left behind a love of Tennessee sports, hilarious demonstrations of how he handpicked cotton as a child and thousands of students who benefited from his unmovable belief that all children are created, and must be treated equally.

Joe was born March 15, 1937, in Fayetteville, Tennessee, the son of Tommie Short and Thomas Andrew McFerrin. Raised on a rural farm in Camargo, Tennessee, Joe attended Camargo Primary School and graduated from Central High School in 1955, where he was an active member of 4-H and in 1955 won the national championship for soil conservation. He attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and Middle Tennessee State College, where he received his degree in 1961. While at MTSC he met Sylvia Cason Williams. The couple married the summer after graduation and moved to Huntsville. Joe later received advanced degrees from the University of Alabama and Auburn.

Joe’s personal and professional accomplishments are too numerous to list but perhaps the most impactful was his association with a group of young forward-thinking educators who did not believe in segregation by race, class or gender. These ideals informed every aspect of Joe’s work and private life and led him to serve, whenever possible, in schools where the student population was in the most need. This work also formed the backbone of a lifetime of great generosity. Always done in private, Joe gave or did whatever was needed. He embodied Christ-like servitude and loved helping someone in need regardless of the inconvenience or cost. He literally spent a lifetime helping fix other people’s problems.

Joe was a classroom teacher for one year when he was asked to move to school administration. During his career, he served as assistant principal and principal to elementary, junior, and high schools throughout Alabama and Tennessee.

For the next 20 years he devoted his time to representing Retired Educators through the local (MCERA) and state Education Retiree Association (AERA). He was elected and served as the president of both organizations.

Joe was a lifelong church member. As a child he attended Prosperity ARP Church in Taft, Tennessee. As a young husband and father, he was a charter member of Good Shepherd Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he attended until it closed. He later joined Hazel Green United Methodist Church. He served on every possible board and committee of both churches and taught Sunday School for at least 50 years. As a Sunday School teacher, Joe ran a lively and inclusive class. He encouraged everyone to participate and have their say (except about politics). Joe loved church. He loved the friends he made in church, a great sermon and all the nuts and bolts of church administration. His favorite hymn was Amazing Grace.

He will be deeply missed even as family and friends know that he now resides in Christ’s promise of heaven. At Joe’s request, memorial and burial services were private. He is buried at Prosperity Cemetery between his parents and grandparents.

Joe is survived by his wife, Sylvia Williams McFerrin; son, Dwayne T. McFerrin of New Market, Alabama; and daughter, Starlene McFerrin-Clancy (John) of New York City; four grandchildren, Meaghan McFerrin of Hillsboro, Alabama, James McFerrin of Decatur, Alabama, Fiona and Cason McFerrin-Clancy of New York City; his brother, Richard McFerrin (Deborah) of Fayetteville, Tennessee; and his sister, Mary Alice Nixon (Larry) of Woodbury, Tennessee.

The family suggests that any donations in Joe’s name be made to the Hazel Green United Methodist Church or the giver’s favorite charity.