SFC Joe Elbert Prince, Sr., U.S. Army Retired, passed away Sunday, August 7, 2022, surrounded by his family.
Joe was born July 11, 1958, in Idar-Oberstein, Germany. Joe was the third son of James H. Prince and Gertrude (Kemp) Prince. His Army career began at Ft. Dix (New Jersey) for basic training; Infantry AIT at Ft. Polk (Louisiana); Fort Stewart (Georgia), 24th Infantry Division; Republic of Korea, 2nd ID, Fort Carson (Colorado); 4th ID, Fort Bragg, (North Carolina); Fort Jackson (South Carolina), 82nd Airborne; Republic of Korea, 2nd ID; Fort Benning (Georgia); and Fort McPherson (Georgia). Joe Prince was enlisted from 1975 to 2000. His awards include: Bronze Star Medal (Granada), two Meritorious Service Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Drill Sergeant, Canadian/Egyptian/
Sudanese Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Badges.
After retiring, he returned to Metter, Georgia, where he worked at the Chevrolet Dealership and Excelsior Electric; Bulloch County Sheriff’s Department; and Plant Hatch.
He was preceded in death by his father, James Homer Prince, Jr.
Surviving are his wife, Joyce T. Prince; a son, Joe Elbert Prince, Jr; a daughter, MSgt. Savannah Jones (USAF); his son-in-law, TSgt. Jason Jones (USAF); his stepchildren: Savannah Gibbs, ILT Paige, and Kevin Campbell (USAR); grandchildren, Joanna and Allison Jones; his mother, Gertrude Kemp Prince; and brothers and their wives: James Homer III and Anne Prince; and John Stanley and Shelley Prince.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Kennedy Funeral Homes, Cobbtown Chapel, followed by the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Brian Durden.
Interment will be in Lake Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to: Army Aviation Heritage Foundation , 506 Speedway Blvd. Hampton, GA 30228.
Kennedy Funeral Homes, Cobbtown Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements.
