Joseph A. Hailes

Joseph Allen Hailes was born on June 21, 1949 in Washington, D.C. He was the ninth of eleven children born to James and Ellen Hailes. Joseph was educated in the DC Public School System and later worked there for over 40 years until his retirement in 2004. He then continued self employment at Mt. Sanai Baptist Church, where he also became a member, until his death. Joseph received his Christian foundation at Gethsemane Baptist Church during his early years.

On April 15, 1988 he married Susan M. Alexander and together they raised daughter Nichole Morgan. Joe was a fun and charismatic person. He was a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoyed watching the games and talking trash to Redskins fans. He loved giving everyone his own personal nickname that he would yell out every time he called or saw them in person. Joe looked forward to the annual family reunions and hanging out with his siblings, especially his late brother Roger whom Joe gave the nickname Some Baby. He also loved to travel and take family vacations. He would frequent Atlantic City and Massanutten Resort and loved to go on cruises. He made it his business to schedule at least one cruise a year and even when Nichole could not join them, he would take his grandkids and be off to the races. He really loved being a grandfather and dedicated his later years catering to and spending as much time with them as possible. He loved to cook and drop food off to various family members and friends. He had signature dishes like his homemade lasagna, beef stew, mac and cheese, world famous potato salad and no one could cook chitterlings like him. He enjoyed being in the kitchen and would pop up at his daughter’s house and just start cooking. He would cook every Thanksgiving dinner for his entire family and Christmas morning he would spend with his daughter and grandchildren cooking breakfast and opening gifts. There are no words that could express how wonderful a person he was and he left his mark on everyone he met. His presence in this world will definitely be missed but our memories and love for him can never be taken away.

He is preceded in death by his wife Susan Hailes, parents, James and Ellen Hailes, his sister Louise Johnson and brother Roger Hailes. His beloved sister Geraldine Hailes, also recently passed. He leaves behind to cherish his loving memory his daughter, Nichole Morgan, son in law Gabriel Morgan, 6 grandchildren, Ayanna, Damone, Thaddeus, Gia, Geana and Jabria, one great granddaughter Khalani, 6 brothers Donell (Brenda), James Jr, Julian, Edward, Stanley (Jacquie), Larry (Lynn) and one sister Mildred Lacy. He also leaves behind a long list of loving family members, friends and honorary children with whom he was a father figure to.

WE LOVE YOU JOE-JOE. YOU WILL BE GREATLY MISSED!!!

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