Joseph “Joe” Herman Haynes, 93, Statesville, N.C., passed away on Saturday May 16, 2026. He was born on Thursday, February 23, 1933, to Mildred Swaim and Colon Haynes of Davidson County, N.C.

The eldest of four siblings and all of his first cousins, Joe grew up on the family farm and developed a love for agriculture at an early age. Joe attended Hasty High School in Thomasville, N.C., and graduated in May of 1951. During his high school years, Joe was active in extracurricular activities such as Future Farmers of America (FFA), basketball, and baseball. After high school, he continued his education at N.C. State College in the fall of 1951, where he studied agriculture and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in May of 1956. While attending N.C. State, Joe joined the Army Reserves with an eight-year obligation. After one year of teaching vocational agriculture to ninth- and 10th-grade boys at Coats High School in Harnett County, N.C., as well as teaching a military veterans’ class (who were studying under the G.I. Bill program), Joe was called to active duty by “Uncle Sam.”

Joe Haynes and Sue Loggins were neighbors growing up. Both families were members of Springhill Methodist Church. During their youth, they realized their love for each other. After both pursued and finished their higher education, Joe and Sue were married on June 1, 1957. Their greatest achievement of 55 years together was the family they created — four sons; three wonderful daughters-in-law; nine very special granddaughters; and ten great grandchildren.

From 1957 to 1990, Joe and Sue raised the boys and lived in various N.C. locations like High Point, Monroe, Dunn, Statesville, and Raleigh. In 1979, the family was baptized in the Baptist faith at First Baptist Church in Raleigh, N.C. When Joe and Sue moved from Raleigh back to Statesville in 1990, they joined Western Avenue Baptist Church, where they cared for the two-year olds during the worship service and served on the baptismal committee for twelve years. Joe was a dedicated member of WABC for 30-plus years. He lived by the Ten Commandments and served our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Joe was a steward of the land. He loved the smell of freshly tilled soil in the springtime; viewing green growth from tilling the soil to seeing crops growing; and then receiving the Lord’s reward at harvest time. He particularly liked seeing a field of growing healthy corn or a thriving stand of alfalfa, but most of all Joe took pride in being the caretaker of Black Angus cattle. Watching his Black Angus cows grazing on a lush growth of orchard-fescue grass and Ladino clover was a joy to behold!

Joe was also active in Boy Scouts of America. He received his Eagle rank as a teenager and served as an assistant scout master during his sons’ young years as Boy Scouts. The 12 points of the Scout Law were lived daily in Joe’s life – trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Joe was a member of the Iredell Cattlemen’s Association. During his membership, he served as its director, vice president, and president. Joe was elected by his peers and served two terms as vice president and two terms as president of the North Carolina Angus Association. He was voted into the N.C. Angus Hall of Fame in 2007.

While working as one of three FCX regional managers, Joe was recognized as the most outstanding regional manager by FCX management five of his nine years in that role.

Joe enjoyed a good ACC basketball game. He always supported N.C. State – Go Wolfpack! He loved watching girls high school basketball and volleyball, especially when his granddaughters were playing.

Joe was preceded in death by his best friend and lovely wife, Sue; his parents; sister, Lucy; and brother, Ronald. He is survived by sons, Scott (Stephanie), Keith (Cindy), Gerald, and Mark (Julie); nine granddaughters, Adison (Josh), Callie Rae, Meredith (Jake), Molly, Emory (Riley), Maggie (Nick), Taylor (Josh), Morgan (Colby), and Sydney; and ten great grandchildren, Sage, Sawyer, Hattie Ruth, Willow, Marilla Kate, Saylor, Landon, Ellie Scott, Quinn and Sophie. Other surviving family members include his brother, Wayne (Bonnie) Haynes; brothers-in-law, Dr. Stanley Harrell and Alfred Nifong; and sisters-in-law Doris Loggins and Brenda (Bill) Bradner. His memory will live on in his relatives, his church family, close friends, and many others.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 29, at Western Avenue Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Jeff Spry officiating. The family will visit with friends prior to the service from 1 until 3 p.m. A Celebration of Life will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, at the Spring Hill UMC Cemetery in High Point.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to WABC or charity of choice.

Arrangements for Mr. Haynes are in the care of Troutman Funeral Home.