Joe R. Qualls

Joe R. Qualls age 81 of Henry, died Friday, November 10, 2023, at his residence.

Joe owned and operated Joe’s Grocery in Henry for over 40 years prior to its closing in 2016. Before running his store, he sold life insurance for Life and Casualty Insurance Company. But his favorite job in life was being a dad and even more so, a granddad. He was elected as Mayor of Henry several terms, serving in that capacity for 20 plus years. In his younger years, he coached little league, enjoyed camping with his family, and being involved in the Henry Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of Henry Baptist Church where he was a deacon and had formerly taught Sunday School. Joe also enjoyed “coaching” the Tennessee Volunteers from his armchair wearing his favorite orange socks.

Joe married Laura Suratt Qualls on November 14, 1961, and she survives in Henry.

Born August 16, 1942, in Linden, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Thomas W Qualls and the late Lillie Hinson Qualls.

In addition to his wife, survivors include his two children, Carol Flores, and Keith (Vicky) Qualls both of Henry; 7 grandchildren, April (Jason) Waddell, Amanda (Gareth) Crosby, Spencer (Amanda) LeBlanc, Eric Joel Flores and his father Martin Flores, Josh (Ashlie) Archer, Dane Archer, Loren Archer, and 11 Great Grandchildren.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Estelle Hinson, and Edith Duncan; and two brothers, Melvin Qualls, and Ernest Qualls.

Ridgeway Funeral Home 201 Dunlap St., Paris, TN 38242, will be handling the funeral arrangements. Visitation will be held Sunday, November 12, 2023, from 4 until 7 pm, and continue Monday, November 13, 2023, at 11 am until 1 pm. His funeral service will be held Monday, November 13, 2023, at 1 pm at Ridgeway Funeral Home with John Sutton officiating.

Pallbearers for the service will be Ronnie Qualls, Jason Suratt, Dusten Koch, Jason Waddell, Spencer LeBlanc, and Eric Joel Flores. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be James Aldridge, and Lester Qualls.

Burial will follow the service at Henry Cemetery.