Joe Ethridge Sellers, 82, left his earthly home Saturday, April 21, 2018. He was born Oct. 28, 1935, to Dennis Maxwell Sellers and Eva Carol Hardin Sellers (both deceased) in Whiteville, N.C.
Joe was the fifth child born into this family and is survived by his younger brother, William Gayle Sellers of Kansas City, Missouri, and his younger sister, Judith Eva Sellers Bullard, and her husband Ronnie, of Whiteville, North Carolina. He is also survived by his second wife, Carolyn Bates Sellers of Wilmington; two sons, Jerry DeWayne Sellers, and his wife, Holly, of Wilmington and James Keith Sellers, and his wife, Crystal, of Lancaster, South Carolina; five grandchildren; and three bonus grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Joe E. Sellers, and his wife, Brooke, and their children, Harper and Hadley of Wilmington, Justin Clark Sellers of Wilmington, Joya Betsy Sellers of Richmond, Virginia, Catherine Amelia Blue Sellers of Houston, Texas, Jamie Gray Sellers of Anderson, South Carolina, and Natalie Faith Howell, Payton Brooke Howell and Michael Anderson Howell of Lancaster, South Carolina.
“Mr. Joe,” as he was affectionately called, came to Wilmington at the age of 17. At the age of 24, after working as a ceramic tile apprentice, he started his own tile company, working out of his single-car garage. Sellers Tile Company was born in 1959 and has survived the ups and downs of the construction business for 59 years. His standard of excellence in this industry is being continued by his son, Jerry; and grandsons, Joe and Justin.
Joe was an avid baseball fan, watching every game he could. He and Carolyn attended Ogden Baptist Church, where they worked in the Children’s Ministry. Joe was a former member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rites and the Shriners.
Mr. Sellers’ family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday evening, April 26, at the Valley Chapel of Andrews Mortuary. A celebration of his life will be held at the same facility at 2 p.m., Friday, April 27. His sons, Jerry and Keith, will lead the service. Interment will be at a later date in Greenlawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center.
Share online condolences with the family at andrewsmortuary.com.
