Joseph Wilson Twiddy, 81, of Durham, formerly of Fayetteville, passed away peacefully on Christmas Day at The Croasdaile Village Retirement Center in Durham with his beloved daughters by his side.
Joe was born November 27, 1942, in Elizabeth City, NC to the late Elizabeth Mansfield and Raymond Lee Twiddy, Jr.
Joe began his career teaching in Wilmington. He went on to serve in the Cumberland County School system as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. Joe opened three new schools in the system during that time. He loved his students and working with his staff over these years. After retirement, Joe returned to the Cumberland County Schools to serve as interim principal, administrative hearing officer, and to serve as a mentor to new principals. Joe truly loved those he served and the community of educators and staff he served with over the years.
Joe was a dedicated and active member of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church for all of his adult life. He served as a deacon for many years and as the moderator of the deacons. Joe enjoyed teaching adult Sunday School and his service as Sunday School superintendent. He was also a member of the church cabinet. In his later years in Fayetteville, Joe enjoyed the community of friends who he served with to build ramps for the disabled in the community. He was able to continue this ministry even after his battle with Lewy Body Dementia began, due to the kindness of friends who picked him up to join this ministry and fellowship with them.
Joe loved to travel with family and friends. He spent many happy times with his daughters and their families. Joe’s five grandchildren were his pride and joy and he loved spending time with them and sharing stories of his adventures with them with his community of caregivers and friends.
Joe’s community involvement extended to the Hope Mills Lion Club and his service on the Cumberland County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee as a former chair and member. While living in Pine Knoll Shores, Joe shared his love of history as a tour guide at Fort Macon.
Joe enjoyed spending time with the love of his life and his bride of 56 years Sandra. They enjoyed spending time with family and making new friends in Durham in their more recent years. They took care of each other as both battled health challenges with grace and resilience. After Sandra’s passing, Joe’s family and many devoted caregivers brought him joy and he inspired others with his resilient faith and kind heart even to the end and despite his own circumstances batting advanced Lewy Body Dementia. Sandra remained with him in his heart. Dementia could not hide Joe’s bright light and gentle, generous spirit. His laugh and smiled never went away, and Joe continued to find joy and gratitude each day. He was known all his life for his love of music and dancing, even delighting his friends in memory care with a legendary dance to the song “Happy” which truly epitomized Dad’s spirit. He was a dedicated and faithful servant throughout not only the joys, but also the challenges of his life.
Joe is survived by his daughters, Mary Beth McIntyre and husband Jimmy of Durham, Susan Fountain and husband Reed of Raleigh; brother Ray Twiddy of Durham, brother Pat Twiddy of Hope Mills; sister-in-law, Norma Davis of Durham, sister-in-law Mary John Dostert of Durham; grandchildren, Evan McIntyre of Salem, VA Graham McIntyre of Durham, Taylor Fountain of New York, NY Caitlin Fountain of Winston Salem, and Cameron Fountain of Raleigh.
A memorial service will be held at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church in the Chapel on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 2pm with a graveside service to follow at Lafayette Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at 1pm in the Gathering Hall at Synder. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc., 912 Killian Hill Rd. S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047.
Online condolences may be left at http://www.jerniganwarren.com
Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301