HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Joseph Earl Hutchinson, age 94, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, was born on Jan. 22, 1929, near Rockingham.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Maude Hutchinson; his wife, Jean Frazier Hutchinson; his son, Stephen E. Hutchinson (Hutch); a sister, Sarah Connell; four brothers, Thomas Hutchinson, James Hutchinson, Elbert Hutchinson and Charles Hutchinson; his son-in-law George A. Poda; and his grandson, Jomyka Hutchinson.
Mr. Hutchinson is survived by his sister, Martha Shaw of Richmond County; his daughter, Janice Hutchinson Poda of Columbia; his son Tim Hutchinson (Fae) of Hilton Head Island; and his daughter-in-law, Avis Havel Hutchinson of Pawleys Island, South Carolina. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Elizabeth P. King (Brian) of Columbia, Meghan H. Bell (Andrew) of Spartanburg, Rachel Hutchinson of Pawleys Island, Joseph D. Hutchinson and Tessa Hutchinson of Hilton Head Island, and Mark Hutchinson serving in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Hutchinson also has five great-grandchildren: Gretchen, Mikah and Isaac Bell and Alex and Julia King. He was lovingly called Papa Joe by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many others.
Mr. Hutchinson graduated from Rockingham High School and served in the U.S. Army. In November 1952, he married the love of his life, Jean Frazier of Ellerbe, and celebrated almost 66 years of being happily married. They met at Green Lake Methodist Church and both will be buried in its cemetery.
After leaving the Army, Joe began his career as a banker (at the bank that is now Bank of America) in Charlotte and while working there graduated from King’s Business College with a degree in accounting. In 1964, he moved his family to Columbia where he replaced old operations management systems with one of the first computerized system of banking at what is now Wells Fargo. He retired as a vice president in 1985 and he and his wife, Jean, moved to their retirement home in Pisgah Forest, in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. They later lived in Ellerbe, Bluffton, South Carolina, and Columbia, South Carolina. Since the death of his wife, Joe has lived in Columbia with his daughter, Janice, and in Hilton Head with his son, Tim. After Joe retired, he enjoyed woodworking and gardening, visiting various areas in this country, as well as a trip to Scotland.
Joe served as an elder for over 40 years in Presbyterian Churches in Columbia, Brevard, Ellerbe and Bluffton. Joe was a man of great faith, integrity, patience, and kindness. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren knew that Daddy/Papa Joe was always available to them with an open mine and a heart full of love. Those who spent time with Joe Hutchinson could not help but see truth, honesty, and loyalty. Every now and then we are blessed to meet someone who makes a lasting impression on us. He was that man; dearly loved and missed by his family and all who were fortunate enough to call him friend.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 28, 2023 at Green Lake Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will greet friends following the service.
Condolences may be made online at carterfuneral.net.
Carter Funeral Home in Rockingham is assisting the Hutchinson family.
