Joseph Macklin was born December 23, 1956, to the late Mr. Edward Macklin and the late Mrs. Katherine B. Macklin in Hancock County.

Joseph attended public school and graduated from Baldwin High School in 1975. He served in the United States Army and worked thirty-four years at Central State Hospital, retiring from the Police Department. He also worked as a brick mason, truck driver, school bus driver, philanthropist and contractor. Joseph mostly enjoyed owning his trucking business.

Joseph served as pastor of Rock Mill Baptist Church in Milledgeville, GA. He also served as Pastor of Second Darien Missionary Baptist Church in Hancock County. He will be remembered mostly for providing an awesome weekly bible study. Joseph loved his church members and all family and friends.

He enjoyed life and lived each day with purpose. He was confident, fearless, very friendly and very dependable. He loved helping others in the community; he was a friend to many. Joseph always had a quick smile and a ready laugh. He had a generous heart. One of his trusted Deacons called him “A Man Amongst Men”.

Joseph enjoyed hunting, knife-making, watching action movies and westerns, especially Gunsmoke. He secretly enjoyed watching “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” with his daughter, Erica. Joseph was strong and determined. Since we are telling the truth about him, Joseph Macklin also had a red hot and ready temper, always “set on let’s go!” ... and then whatever happened after that... he was also quick to make amends. A child from the old neighborhood whose an adult now put it best by saying “I remember that Mr. Joe didn’t play! LOL

On Saturday afternoon, August 17, 2024, Joseph entered rest after a prolonged battle with Dementia at his home surrounded by his family.

Joseph is survived by his loving wife, Deborah Macklin; son, Joseph Jackson Macklin; daughters, Erica Macklin, Janza Macklin, Carneisha Forney; stepdaughter, Taquitta Brown; granddaughters who only know him as “PAPA”, Raegan Macklin Neely, Sinclair Macklin Neely, Cene' Duong Macklin; sisters, Janice (Rayford) Thomas, Joyce Macklin, Myra Macklin; brothers, Taurus (Tiffany) Macklin, Clarence Macklin; devoted sister-in-law, Catherine M. Davis; devoted brother-in-law, Reggie Davis; his forever best friend, Rev. Tony E. Fraley; several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.