Funeral for Joel Daniel Oakley, 83, will be Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at Roselawn Funeral Home at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Mickey Johnson officiating, assisted by the Rev. Ron Oakley and the Rev. Dallas Culver. Burial will be at Roselawn Cemetery. Visitation will be today from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Mr. Oakley, who died April 23, 2016, at home, was born on June 5, 1932, in Cullman County to Robert Anderson Oakley and Sylvia Johnson Oakley. He was a member of First Christian Church of Decatur where he served as a deacon for 37 years and was a deacon emeritus until the time of his death. Joel served in the Korean War and was stationed in Germany. After returning home, he worked at Climitrol Industries as a draftsman and a plant supervisor at Aramark Cooperation until he retired in 1996. Later, he was a security guard for W.A. Thompson Security working as a guard at several branches of Family Security Credit Union. He was a member of The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Joel was a life-long fan of Alabama football and Atlanta Braves baseball and an avid hunter.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Othell Oakley Miller, James Thurman Oakley, and identical twin brother, Joseph Manuel Oakley.
Survivors include his wife, Leah Fitzgerald Oakley; and his daughter, Teresa A. Oakley; one sister, Eunice Oakley Roper, of Falkville; two brothers, Bobby Howard Oakley (Emily), of Calera, and Ferris Lamar “Pug” Oakley (Lynda), of Cullman. Also missing him will be his dog and faithful companion, Bella.
The family wishes to thank Maxine Mann and Harriett Williams for their support and care, and a special thank you to the caregivers from Hospice of the Valley.
Pallbearers will be Dale Fitzgerald, William Fitzgerald, Gerry Holmes, Keith Oakley, and Gary Waddell. Honorary pallbearers are Quentin Brown, Allen Holmes, Edwin Wyle, and elders and deacons of First Christian Church of Decatur.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, Birmingham Eye Foundation, or First Christian Church of Decatur.
