Pastor Joseph Freeman Milner Jr. was born January 3, 1935, in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Joseph Freeman Sr. and Ethel Milner. On February 7, 2023, he fell asleep in Jesus. He was preceded in death by his brother, Devosta Milner, his aunt, Jenni Milner and step son-in-law, Rodney Maddox. He attended Howard High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee and graduated in the Class of 1953.
In 1974 he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Tennessee and in 1979 a Master of Education Degree from the University of Tennessee. In 2000, he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Southern Adventist University. Joseph was a faithful and devoted District Lay Assistant Pastor at the East Cleveland Seventh-day Adventist for 45 years until the day of his death. His employment included: City of Chattanooga, McKee Bakery, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Tennessee.
In the early 60s after his baptism into the 8th Street Seventh-day Adventist Church in Chattanooga TN, Elder Milner held various offices in the church. He was Sabbath School Superintendent, Vacation Bible School Coordinator, Home Missionary Secretary, and New Members Home Visitation Leader. In 1964 he was ordained as an Elder.
He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife, Regina Milner of Ooltewah, Tennessee; four stepdaughters, Judy (Dallas) Pottinger of Davenport, Iowa, Patricia (Freeman) Sales, Linda (Rudolph) Barner, both of Chattanooga TN and Laura Cobb-DeSilva of New York; two stepsons, Randall Cobb of Chattanooga TN and Cheka Abubakari of California; one nephew, Devosta Bon Leverett, and one niece, Anita Faye Milner both of Chattanooga TN; one great niece, Angel Milner; two great-great nieces, Jaylan Milner and Laquandra Leverett; one great- great nephew, Devosta Leverett Jr.
Public viewing will be held 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM, Thursday, February 23, 2023, at East Cleveland SDA Church, 801 Howard Circle, SE, Cleveland, TN, followed by an 11:00 AM celebration of life service. Interment Lakewood Memory Gardens EAST.
Arrangements by John P Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.