Joseph Donald Laughter

Joseph Donald Laughter, known lovingly by many as “Sarge” or “Mr. Joe,” left his earthly home to be with his Savior on January 7, 2022, at the age of 89.

Son of Jacob “Clanny” and Linda Laughter, Joe was born in Polkville, NC, but spent the majority of his life on his beloved homestead in Edneyville, NC. He was a member and lifetime deacon of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church.

Joe served in the US Army as a Sergeant in the Military Police Corps. After his military service, he taught for 34 years at West Henderson High School where he impacted the lives of many students. After teaching, Joe would come home to work on his apple farm. When not teaching or farming, Joe could be found caring for his family and neighbors. Joe was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather and friend to all. He was kind, compassionate, slow to anger and gave generously of his time, energy and resources to anyone in need. Even in the last few days before his death, you could hear Joe asking everyone who entered his home “well what can I do to help you?”

Joe is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Vera Laughter, and his granddaughter Sarah Willingham Jones. Joe is survived by his three daughters, Kathy Willingham and her husband Billy, Tammy Artosky and her husband Dave, and Patricia Frazelle and her husband Edward; sister June Barnwell, brother Jerry Laughter; and  brother-in-law Dinky Pack, five grandchildren, Mandi Willingham, Jake Willingham and his wife Ashley, Kelly Smith and her husband Travis, Andrew Frazelle and his wife Gabriella, and Kylie Artosky; seven great-grandchildren; and two special caregivers, Kim Reed and David Willingham who, along with his granddaughter Mandi, made it possible for him to fulfill his desire to live the end of his life in his own home.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church with Rev. Bryan Melton officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to honor Joe by having donations sent to the Henderson County Education Foundation to assist the students in our community whom he loved.

Memorial gifts can be made online at:

http://hcefnc.org/donate   with “In Memory of Joe Laughter” in the Comment Section; or mailed to:

Henderson County Education Foundation
414 4th Avenue West
Hendersonville, NC 28739

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