Obituary Joseph Dillard, Sr.

JOSEPH DILLARD, SR. Joseph Dillard was the sixth-born from the union of his parents, Columbus and Lucy Mae Dillard, who preceded him in death. On June 6, 1954 in Los Angeles California, they were blessed with a baby boy they named Joseph, whom they deeply cherished. As a child, Joseph was taught biblical concepts both in the home and at weekly church services. He also attended Sunday School, Sunshine Band and YPWW. He and his brother Columbus were not fond of Sunshine Band and when his mother told them that Sister Parker would be picking them up, they begged not to have to go. A fun time church activity was the annual church picnic he looked forward to and he would get up extra early, ready to go. All of these experiences helped to give him a foundation for the challenges he would face in life. He had praying parents who loved him dearly. He was reared with the Proverbs 22:6 instruction to train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Joseph embraced this teaching, especially during his last days before passing away. Joseph grew up with neighbors who prayed for him, counseled and disciplined him if he misbehaved. He was a God fearing man, loved family and friends, was very outspoken and always comforted others, even people he had just met. As a child, Joseph always had a smile on his face. One of the neighbors, Mother Cole, would say, “here’s the smiling boy” whenever she saw him. Laughter was an intricate part of the Dillard household. Whenever he and his brothers, Clarence, Eugene or Columbus got together there was definitely going to be a lot of joking and laughing. Eugene worked nights and would bring food home and Joseph and Columbus would eat it up before Eugene woke up the next morning. When Eugene got up the next day, all three would laugh about it. One of his favorite childhood pastimes was taking things apart and reassembling them again. So it was nothing to see a clock or some other item around the house in many pieces, only later finding it reassembled and working again. Joseph’s father introduced him to fishing at a young age and he often accompanied him on fishing and hunting trips along with his younger brother Columbus. Joseph and his brother Columbus also loved assembling toy model cars together and painting them, putting them on display in the house. He loved sports, especially basketball and football. He could often be found at his grandson Andrew’s basketball and baseball games, cheering him to victory. All during the games playing with his granddaughter Jrue who constantly told him, “I love you Papa Joe” Joseph also loved to read novels and books by African American authors. He had a passion for music of many genres. He loved the oldies, jazz and gospel.

Joseph attended Mark Twain Elementary School, Vanguard Junior High School and Centennial Senior High School. He was employed by Dash Bus, AutoZone and Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. He completed a two year course in auto mechanics and repair where he excelled in servicing and repairing automobiles. Joseph loved to eat good food! And he had a passion and talent for barbecuing ribs, including bbq chicken and steaks. He was known as Mr. BBQ. He barbecued for special holidays and catered for family reunions and other functions. And he would call family and friends on many occasions saying I’m going to barbecue, I’ll have a slab for you. He loved asking Jonita to make tacos and his sister Mary to make her famous banana pudding. He was very giving and had a good heart. He loved people and enjoyed gatherings with family and friends. Joseph loved many things but he had a special love for his children and grandchildren. He was better known to his grandchildren as Papa Joe. He enjoyed visits with his daughter Kquana, the both of them joking and talking together. His youngest child, Jonita, stayed on his bumper and he always teased that she thinks she’s my mother. Joseph cherished the memory of the following loved ones who preceded him in death: his father Columbus Dillard II, his mother Lucy Mae Dillard, his treasured sweetheart and mother of Jonita, Benita Burrell, his son Joseph Dillard II, his sister, Marjorie Dillard and his grandson Jamel Jones. Joseph made peace with God, rededicating his life to Christ before departing his life on Wednesday, September 22, 2021. His sister, Mary, prayed with him and comforted him. His brother, Columbus, spoke with him daily, often during the wee hours of the morning and prayed with him. Joseph told Columbus that together the two of them had a good ride and he will see him on the other side. When his sister Rosa went to see him in the hospital, she saw that he had tremendous peace and was very content. Joseph will truly, truly be missed by all who loved him and will forever live in our hearts. Joseph leaves to cherish his loving memory, 100 year old aunt, Rosa Dillard Dixon of Birmingham AL, wife, Juanita Dillard of Las Vegas NV, three brothers, Clarence Dillard (Ethelene) of Hemet CA, Eugene Dillard (Terrie) of La Mirada CA and Columbus Dillard III of Mira Loma CA, two sisters, Rosa Robinson of Los Angeles CA and Mary Dillard of Mira Loma CA, two daughters, Kquana Dillard of Las Vegas NV and Jonita Dillard of Gardena CA, cousin, Columbus Dillard of Moreno Valley CA, four nieces, Darlene Wyndon, JaNelva Williams (Walter), Jennifer Dillard and Angela Carter (Chavonte), two nephews, Marc Willis and Christopher Jones, two great nephews, Chavonte Jr and Cairin, two great nieces, Janarie Rhambo and Madison Williams, six grandchildren, Trayshon Thenarse, Tianna Gutierrez (Angel), Tequia Jones, Jaliyah Bowman Dillard, Andrew Price III and Jrue Price, one great grandchild, Kaylani Gutierrez, and a host of other relatives and friends.

MODERATOR - Pastor Keith Bennett MUSICIAN - Christa Smith PROCESSIONAL OF MINISTERS AND FAMILY SCRIPTURE READINGS ................................................................Mary Dillard OLD TESTAMENT Psalm 23 NEW TESTAMENT St John 14:1-6 & 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 PRAYER ................................................................................Pastor Keith Bennett MUSICAL SELECTION……..Going Up Yonder ..........Evangelist Betty Clark ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................Jacquelyn Walker PAPA JOE’S FAVORITE SONG........................ Presented by Andrew Price III EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE ............................................................ Rosa Robinson Eugene Dillard Open MUSICAL SELECTION…….Praise Him ..................... Angelus Funeral Home OBITUARY ................................................................................Jacquelyn Walker MUSICAL SELECTION…….I Won’t Complain ..........Evangelist Betty Clark EULOGY/WORDS OF COMFORT...................... ELDER JOHN WILLIAMS PARTING VIEW RECESSIONAL

REMEMBER ME But what a view I have from here, I see your face, I feel you near. Remember me with smiles not tears, I follow you throughout the day, For all the joy through all the years. You’re not alone along the way. Recall the closeness that was ours, And when God calls you, you will be, A love as “sweet” as fragrant flowers. Right by my side, right here with me. Don’t dwell on thoughts that cause Till then, I’ll wait by Heaven’s door, you pain, We’ll be united evermore. We’ll see each other once again. I am at peace, try to believe, It was my time, I had to leave.





ACTIVE PALLBEARERS COREY BURRELL RODNEY HARRIS BERNARD BURRELL KENNETH LANE RONALD ERIC BENJAMIN JERMAINE NOBLE HONORARY PALLBEARERS COLUMBUS DILLARD III EUGENE DILLARD ANDREW PRICE SR ANDREW PRICE III REUBEN MOORE II EDWARD HORAN THANK YOU Perhaps you sent a lovely card, Or sat quietly in a chair. Perhaps you sent a flower piece, If so, we saw it there. Perhaps you said the kindest word, That any friend could say. Perhaps you were not there at all, Just thought of us that day. Whatever you did to console our hearts, We thank you so much, whatever the part. The family of Joseph Dillard Sr INTERNMENT Inglewood Park Cemetery 720 E. Florence Avenue Inglewood, CA 90301 Services Entrusted to ANGELUS FUNERAL HOME 3875 Crenshaw Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90008 Obituaries by Mack Enterprises Unlimited 323.789.6224