Rev. Joseph Richard "Joe" Stiles, 82, of Hartwell, passed away Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at his home.

Born on August 3, 1934 in St. Petersburg, FL, he was the son of the late Elmer Osborne Stiles and Helen Fraulein Ford Stiles.Rev. Stiles was a retired Plumber / Pipefitter, member of Union 111 - St. Petersburg FL and was also a retired Minister, serving in the Florida United Methodist Conference for 25 years.He was a member of the Hartwell First United Methodist Church. Joe will be forever remembered as a beacon of light and love who embodied the grace of Christ to all he met.

Survivors include his wife: Rev. Barbara Marvin Stiles; two sons: Rev. Mark Stiles of Archer FL and Mr. Joe (Carol) Stiles II of St. Petersburg FL; two daughters: Rev. Annette (Scott) Stiles Pendergrass of Melbourne FL and Rev. Jennifer (John) Stiles Williams of Orlando FL; a brother: Tom Stiles of Clearwater FL; a sister: Martha Heffern of St. Petersburg FL and 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren also survive.Rev. Stiles was preceded in death by two brothers: Billy Stiles and Fred Stiles and two sisters: Bernice Rasmussen and Nancy LeFebvre.

A memorial service celebrating Rev. Stiles life will held on Sunday, November 13, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hartwell First United Methodist Church with Dr. R. Allen Stewart officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hartwell First United Methodist Church Bowers Fund, 200 E. Howell Street, Hartwell, GA30643.

The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.