Personal History
Joseph Carlyle Coles, Jr. was born in Washington, DC on February 15, 1926. He was the only child of the late Joseph Carlyle Coles, Sr and Rubie Banks Coles. He lived in Detroit, MI during his very early years but returned to Washington with his mother when he was 5 years old. Joe, or “Junior” as he was called by his family, was educated in the DC public school system, graduating in 1943 as a 2nd Lt. in the ROTC at Dunbar High School.
[insert ROTC picture from yearbook]
Joe Coles received his Bachelor of Arts with a major in Political Science from Howard University in 1947. His education at Howard concluded in 1950 when he received a Bachelor of Divinity degree and served as Vice President of his class. He later received the Master of Sacred Theology degree from New York Theological Seminary.
[insert one Howard yearbook pic]
In 1954 Joe married the former Geneva Hamilton of South Boston, VA and were married for 41 years at his death. They were the parents of four children, Rubie Geneva Coles, Janice Louise Coles (predeceased her parents), Jocelyn Coles Wheaton and Joseph Carlyle Coles III. At his death, Joe was also the grandfather of David Wheaton, Jr. Since his death, three more grandchildren, Janice Wheaton, Joseph Coles IV and Jonathan Coles were born.
[insert family photos]
Joe loved popcorn, football and baseball, detective stories and movies. He loved to laugh and tell jokes. But most of all Joe loved his family and his family loves him. His immediate and extended families all knew his motto for life was “Jesus and Sears will carry you through!”
Joseph Carlyle Coles, Jr. died from heart disease on December 2, 1995 in New Jersey while visiting his son for the Thanksgiving holiday. He is missed.
[insert ROTC picture from yearbook]
Joe Coles received his Bachelor of Arts with a major in Political Science from Howard University in 1947. His education at Howard concluded in 1950 when he received a Bachelor of Divinity degree and served as Vice President of his class. He later received the Master of Sacred Theology degree from New York Theological Seminary.
[insert one Howard yearbook pic]
In 1954 Joe married the former Geneva Hamilton of South Boston, VA and were married for 41 years at his death. They were the parents of four children, Rubie Geneva Coles, Janice Louise Coles (predeceased her parents), Jocelyn Coles Wheaton and Joseph Carlyle Coles III. At his death, Joe was also the grandfather of David Wheaton, Jr. Since his death, three more grandchildren, Janice Wheaton, Joseph Coles IV and Jonathan Coles were born.
[insert family photos]
Joe loved popcorn, football and baseball, detective stories and movies. He loved to laugh and tell jokes. But most of all Joe loved his family and his family loves him. His immediate and extended families all knew his motto for life was “Jesus and Sears will carry you through!”
Joseph Carlyle Coles, Jr. died from heart disease on December 2, 1995 in New Jersey while visiting his son for the Thanksgiving holiday. He is missed.