Joseph A. Brake

Joseph Albert Brake, 90, passed away peacefully in the presence of his children on June 7, 2015, his 68th wedding anniversary. He was married sixty years to his beloved wife, Marie, who preceded him in death in 2008. Born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Joe was the ninth child of the late Ruth and Jesse Brake. After graduating valedictorian from West Edgecombe High School, Joe won a scholarship to Tennessee Wesleyan College, where he played football and basketball, and most importantly, met the love of his life, Marie. After two years at Tennessee Wesleyan, Joe enlisted in the Navy and served in World War II. He attended Midshipman's School at the University of the South and Columbia University and served as a Lt. (jg) on a minesweeper in the Atlantic and Pacific. Following the war, Joe completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Tennessee, earning a degree in chemical engineering. He and Marie were married in 1947, and they made homes in Kingsport, Tennessee and Longview, Texas where Joe was affiliated with Tennessee Eastman and Texas Eastman. Later, Joe and his growing family moved to Portsmouth, Ohio and Ashland, Kentucky, where he became the president of the Ashland Group Companies of Columbia Gas System. Following his retirement, Joe earned a J.D. degree and practiced law until his seventieth birthday. Throughout his life, Joe was a devoted husband, father, and active participant in his community and church. Joe was also preceded in death by his eight brothers and sisters: Cecil (Myrtle) Brake; Ella (William) Pridgen; Louise Brake; Cooper (Maye) Brake; Jessie Brake; James (Berline) Brake; Thelma (Zib) Zbikowski; and Lillian (Robert) Melton. He is survived by his four children: Rebecca (David) Murray; Patricia (Alan) Rutenberg; Vicki (Jim) Cantrell, and Joe (Allyson) Brake, Jr.; his nine grandchildren: Allison (Tom) Near; Hannah (Josh) Reed; David (Erin) Murray; Clay Cantrell; Jennifer (Townsend) Collins; Chris (Amanda) Cantrell; Rebecca (Colter) Longshore; Katie Brake; and Sarah Jo Brake; three step-grandchildren, Samantha Jenkins; Jane Allyson Jenkins; and Peter Jenkins; eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, June 9, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at McAmmon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home in Maryville, Tennessee. Services will be held at Middlesettlements United Methodist Church in Maryville at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10. A graveside service will follow at Middlesettlements Cemetery.