Joseph "Joe Ball" Bosley

Joseph "Joe Ball" Bosley - Submitted for the USGenWeb by Richard P. Sevier 9/23/2022

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Joseph "Joe Ball" Bosley - Madison Parish, Louisiana
September 13, 1931 ~ August 15, 2022, 2022 (age 90)

From Madison Journal, Tallulah. LA September 15, 2022

Joseph "Joe Ball" Bosley was born Sept. 13, 1931 to Ms. Doretta and Ben Bosley in Tallulah. He believed in God and always shared his wisdom with others.

Joe Ball was well known, loved and respected by everyone in his community. He touched many lives and made everyone feel welcomed. His witty humor, charm and gift for storytelling brought smiles and laughter to everyone he encountered.

Strong work ethics were in Joe Ball's blood from an early age. At nine years old, he worked for the Madison Journal, sweeping up the print shop and stuffing newspapers. As he continued years of employment with the newspaper firm, he decided to attend Madison Parish Training School to advance his career as a photojournalist. From there, Joe did just about everything for the newspaper company, including printing, setting type and processing photos. He also was head of the newspaper's distribution department. He was named the best jack-of-all-trades known in the newspaper field. His service, loyalty and hard work were invaluable.

In 1994, Joseph Bosley was inducted into the 50-year Club of Louisiana journalists. He received an award because of this long-lasting involvement with the Louisiana newspaper industry, mainly his work with the Madison Journal, during which time the company obtained several awards. After 60 years of employment and dedication and never missing a day of work, he retired from Madison Journal in In August 1989, in Tallulah, Joseph married Bernice McClodden. There were married for 33 years. He called her the love of his life.

Joseph loved the Lord. He attended Greater Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and served on the Usher Board.

Joseph was a successful entrepreneur. He was passionate about running businesses and offering valuable services to the community. Following his departure from the Madison Journal, he opened Bosley Photo Service, a photography business providing print services to individuals and companies.

Joseph was an active man and full of life. In his young adult years, he was part of a singing group, the "Four Aces". He obtained several awards for his loyal and dedicated services to the State Association of Elks. In 1953, he joined the Starr Lodge #953. He became a Louisiana State Association member in 1981 and received the Past State President Degree while serving on PSP Council. He was also a participant of the PER Council and acted as Public Relations Director. He received the Grand Lodge PGER Honors and Past Grand Exalted Ruler Degree in 1991 in New Orleans. In 1996, he received the Distinguished Service Award and was named '96 Elk of the Year.

Joseph enjoyed cooking and was a devoted New Orleans Saints football fan. "Who Dat?" was his favorite phrase. Joe had an outgoing personality and made friends with many people, including staff with Legacy Nursing Home, who cared for him until his passing.

He was proceeded in death by his father, Ben Bosley; his mother, Doretta Jackson; sons, Clinton Groves and Cletious Groves and James Griffin, whom he helped raise as his own; daughters, Gloria Jean Bosley, Gloria Jean Grayson; and brothers, Moses Henderson and John Henry Jackson.

Many will be without his charming and loving nature, including his wife, Bernice Bosley; his children, Kenneth R. (Lee E.) Bosley Sr., Marjorie Bosley, Clifton Groves, Katherine Groves-Elliott, Deborah Anderson; his step-children, Robert Gultery, Ronald Gultery, and Natasha Gultery; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, brother-in-law, Otis (Geraldine) McClodden, sister-in-law, Rose Ann Bell, nieces and nephews, including Nathaniel Whaley, godchildren, Kara Westbrook and Angela Nabors.

He will always be remembered by his extended cousins, in-laws and a host of other relatives and friends, new and old. Special thanks to the Groves family, including Vera and Ronny and for their continuous support.