Rev. Joseph Bouknight Jr.

AS A SON: On May 11, 1956 in Columbia, SC, Mrs. Dorothy Counts Bouknight and Rev. Joseph Bouknight, Sr. welcomed into the world their firstborn son, Joseph Bouknight, Jr. He was a vibrant boy who grew under the nurturing of his parents. During his young years, Joseph’s father answered God’s calling and the family relocated to Detroit, MI. AS A STUDENT: He received his public education in the Detroit Public School System and graduated from Martin Luther King High School. He graduated from Lane College with a Bachelor degree in Sociology. While at Lane College, he was active in many student activities with his favorite being a student photographer, member of the Student Ministerial Alliance, and his fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. After graduation from Lane, he attended Phillips School of Theology in Atlanta, GA. AS A MAN CALLED TO SERVE GOD: At a young age, Joseph accepted his calling into the ministry and began serving under the leadership and guidance of his father in the C.M.E Church. During the latter years of his matriculation at Lane College, and after graduation, he pastored C.M.E. Churches in Gibson, TN, Henderson, TN, Jackson, TN, Bells, TN, and Barnesville, GA. He also served as a supply pastor for the United Methodist Church Conference (Paris, TN District) where he pastored churches in Paris, TN and Dover, TN. He later united with Greater St. Luke Baptist Church and served faithfully as one of the associated ministers until his health failed. AS A MAN CALLED TO SERVE HIS COUNTRY: Joseph joined the United States Army in 1974 and honorably discharged in 1978. He went on to serve as a member of the 194th Engineer Brigade of the Tennessee Army National Guard in Jackson, TN before transferring to the C-46th Engineer Battalion (now 212th Engineer Battalion) Paris, TN. He later transferred to the 913th Engineer Battalion in Union City, TN. In 1990, he served on active duty during Operation Desert Storm. He also made two tours to Iraq (2003 and 2005) during Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (Operation OEF/OIF). He was twice deployed to the Arizona/Mexico Border during Operation Homeland Security during the Iraq War effort in 2007. It was during his time as an active duty service member that he was injured in the line of duty. That injury resulted in him being assigned to the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Ft. Campbell, KY from where he was medically and honorably discharged in 2008. AS A MAN OF MEANS: Besides being a pastor and soldier, Rev. Bouknight held civilian jobs. In his younger days, he was a test driver for Volkswagen in Detroit, MI. In Tennessee, he secured employment with various employers but his favorites were the years of service on the staff at Henry County High School and later as a service tech for ServiceMaster, Inc., both in Paris, TN. Family Legacy: AS A HUSBAND AND FATHER: Rev. Bouknight’s life journey has blessed him with a wonderful and abundant family circle. On December 15, 1984, he married his soul mate, Gloria, while they were both at Lane College. To this marriage they brought four loving children—Barbara (Brian) Holt, Detroit, MI; TeNita Jones, Jackson, TN; Henrico (Carrie) Steele, Manhattan, KS; and Jeff Steele, Junction City, KS. AS A GRANDFATHER/GREAT GRANDFATHER: He leaves to cherish his memory 18 wonderful grandchildren, Arianna W., Christopher, LaBarbara, Charles, NaKeta, Ryan, Trevor, Abigail, Stephon, Titan, Mariah, Tamara, Ariana S., Akira, Dalton, Emilie, Jase, and Noah; 3 precious great grandchildren, Kaelyn, Kyla, and Brian; AS A GODFATHER: He opened his home and heart to nine young people whose parents entrusted their children’s care and well-being to him and his wife. With sadness he departs from the presence of 3 goddaughters, Torri Singleton Beard and Michelle Hobson Cooper (Memphis, TN) and Raven Ellison (Jackson, TN); 4 godsons, Steven Curry and Dontavious Dodd (Jackson, TN); Fred (J.R.) Wilson, Atlanta, GA; and Shannon Fason (Laurel, MD). And 2 special young people, Essence (whom he called his “Shae Shae”) Bush (Jackson, TN), and Rev. Derrick Hall (Nashville, TN). AS A BROTHER: He bids a loving farewell to two sisters, Dr. Jeanette Bouknight, Detroit, MI and Atty. Barbara Bouknight, Flint, MI; two brothers, Phillip Bouknight, East Lansing, MI and Minister Michael (Dana) Bouknight, Detroit, MI. Six Sister-in laws, Jackie (Mark) Smith, Emily (Calvin) Mays, Marie (James) Lee, Mary (David) Long, Debra (William) Fowler, all of Jackson, TN; and Wanda (McElree) Mosley, Marietta, GA; One Brother-in-law: Thomas (Debbie) Echoles, Minneapolis, MN; 5 Special Friends, Rev. Earl Woods, Rev. Sam Singleton, Mother Juanita Gibson, Verda Jackson whom he affectionately called “his very own personal nurse” (all of Jackson, TN); and Greg Bradshaw, Paris, TN. AS AN EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBER: Rev. Bouknight leaves a very large host of nieces, nephews, and other beloved family and friends. Lastly his Blue and White Family—his Sisters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Journey to Eternity: God directed His Angels to come to Earth and escort Joseph to Everlasting Rest after many years of suffering. In the stillness of the night of June 9, 2015 at The Tennessee State Veterans Home, he transitioned into Eternity to join his beloved grandmother, Henrietta James and his other family members who have preceded him. Amen.

Rev. Joseph Bouknight Jr.

May 11, 1956 - June 9, 2015