Obituary of Joseph Louis Earl Stratton, Sr.

JOSEPH LOUIS EARL STRATTON SR., age 84, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 11, 2020. He was born July 9, 1935 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Philadelphia public schools. In 1954, Joseph enlisted in the United States Army, where he fought in the Korean War and received the National Defense Service Medal. Then later, he received an honorable discharge. In 1958, he married Lillian Burroughs and from this union they had 4 children. Joseph became a union activist for Temple Hospital helping to form the pension fund for the nurses and health care workers. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee before returning home to Philadelphia. He searched, found, and managed a building on Erie Avenue in Philadelphia to house other veterans. Joseph was always looking for ways to help others. After being hospitalized in 2013, he moved to New Jersey, where he was cared for by his children. By the grace of God, Joseph was restored back to health. Joseph attended a Healing Service at St. James AME Church, Mays Landing, New Jersey, where God delivered him from diabetes. Not too long after God’s miraculous demonstrations of deliverance, he accepted Christ as his personal Savior and became a member of St. James AME Church in Mays Landing. He enjoyed giving God the praise. You would always see him clapping his hands as he played the air drums. Joseph loved sports, and playing and teaching others Chess. He also enjoyed reading Maya Angelou’s books. He was always eating. His favorites were Entenmann's cakes, tuna subs, peanut butter crackers, Tastykake, and bean pies. He had a great sense of humor (ONLY ON TUESDAYS), always telling jokes and giving innovative ways to make millions. Joseph played the trumpet and enjoyed all types of music. His favorite was Jazz; he listened to Miles Davis, David Brubeck and many other artists. Recently Joseph attended Active Day in Galloway, New Jersey. He later received home care from Griswold Home Care, Bayada Home Health Care, Egg Harbor Care Center, and Angelic Health Service. Joseph was preceded in death by: his parents, Robert Stratton, Sr. and Dorothy Lee McKinney. He was the youngest of 11 children (of which 10 preceded him in death); his sisters, Eva, Martha Arvella and Dorothy Lee; brothers, Robert Henry, John Douglas, Nathaniel Jack, Henry Lee, Edward Amos, Wallace Fredericks and Raymond Andrew; and daughter-in-law Maryanna Ingram. Joseph leaves to cherish his memories: children, Joseph Louis Earl Stratton, Jr., Charlotte Golden, Marvella Williams, all of Pleasantville, New Jersey, and Trina Stratton of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey; grandchildren, Jamal Stratton of Atlantic City, Steven Golden, Jr. (Michelle) of Egg Harbor City, Donte’ Stratton (Kareemah) of Pleasantville, Javan Golden, Sr. (Christina) of Delaware, Monika Williams of Raleigh, North Carolina, Rahimier Casrell, Tatiana Ingram and Khirey Ingram; also 18 great-grandchildren; and a host of nephews and nieces who called him “Uncle Joey” or “Uncle Earl.”