Obituary of Joe Nathan Golden

Remembering Joe

It is difficult to describe the man known as Mr. Joe Nathan Golden, he was a faithful husband, a devoted father, a loyal friend, and a dedicated servant of the Lord. Although words cannot express the pain we feel about his passing, it blesses us to know that he leaves behind special memories of serving his community, family, and friends.

Joe Golden’s legacy began in the Deep South, in Sidon, Mississippi on March 30, 1937. His parents were the late Bilbo Golden and Ruthie Mae (Henry) Golden. Joe accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at St. John’s Baptist Church in Sidon, Mississippi.

Similar to many African-Americans in the early to mid-1900s, Joe migrated to the urban North to seek employment opportunities in industrial cities. Joe arrived on the west side of Chicago, Illinois in the 1950s. Joe was employed at a number of companies in the Chicago area, most notably the Sara Lee Corporation. His dedication and commitment was an integral part of the success and growth of the company. He received multiple awards for his twenty plus years of service and loyalty.

Most importantly, Joe loved the Lord and knew Him as his personal Savior. He attended Faith Tabernacle Church in Chicago. In 2006, Joe and his family relocated to Kalamazoo, Michigan to enjoy retirement living. Shortly after their arrival, Joe joined Bible Baptist Church of Kalamazoo.

Joe Nathan Golden, age 80, of Kalamazoo, Michigan; devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, peacefully left this life and entered the arms of Jesus on Sunday, October 15, 2017. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife; Annie Jones Golden, his daughter Verna Jones, his sisters Alberta Banks and Emma Lue Ollie, and his brother James Otis Golden.

Keeping his memory alive are his wife; Marva (Patterson) Golden of Kalamazoo, MI, his children Louise- Shirley (Steve) Harms of Chicago, IL, Robert (LaVerne) Butler of Harvey, IL, Jeaninne (William) Sytsema of Kalamazoo, MI, Yolanda (Mark) McCoy of Chicago IL, Shaun (Summer) Butler of Berwyn, IL, Patrick Butler (Taneka Handy) of Houston TX, Jonkea Butler of Los Angeles, CA. His sisters Bessie James of Forest Park IL and Annie Ruth Tucker of Hampton, GA. His brothers LeRoy Golden of Los Angeles, CA and Roosevelt Thurmon of Hampton GA. His granddaughter Delilah Jones-Bardlette (Kenneth), and two special great-grandsons, Dekenta and Deantae Bardlette. Joe has numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren, other relatives, and friends who will miss him deeply.