"A mighty oak has fallen in the forest" — Jerry Falwell
These words, said many years ago, could be used to describe Brother Joe Shurden, who was buried Nov. 23 at Clarkson Cemetery in Webster County.
Brother Joe, who had been at a Jackson hospital and later at Ridgeland, died at the age of 89, being born on Oct. 28,1930, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Felix Shurden.
In addition to his wife, Irene Avent Shurden, left to cherish his memories are Joe Shurden of Starkville, Charles McClellan of Mathiston, Bobby Shurden of Gulfport, Donnie Shurden of Hattiesburg and Mark Shurden of Conroe, Texas; and many nephews, nieces and grandchildren.
In what seemed to be a short time on earth, Brother Joe had been a positive influence on many people.
He went to Clarke College in 1960 for two years and then started his long journey in the ministry, as he served as pastor of Antioch Baptist in Philadelphia, West End Baptist in Louisville, Coldwater Baptist in Philadelphia, and French Camp Baptist and Bluff Springs Baptist in Choctaw County.
In 1969, Brother Joe moved back home to Oktibbeha County, where he taught for 25 years, with many of those years being at Moor High School.
In addition to being a positive influence on those he taught with and those he taught, he was a positive influence on many people in gospel music. Brother Joe and Mrs. Irene attended many gospel singings in the area and in other parts of Mississippi, and even other states.
They had been regular attendees of singing schools in Mississippi taught by Marty Phillips from Crossett, Ark., and were always willing to help anybody at the schools. Twice a month, the Shurdens would be seen with two church groups visiting area nursing homes and helping the residents sing.
At the visitation at Welch Funeral Home in Starkville, many gospel singers were present from many places in Mississippi and other states, including one person from Pontotoc who will be the president of the National Singing Convention in Newton in November 2020.
At the burial at Clarkson Cemetery, the Rev. Christopher Fulgham read some scriptures and a verse of a song we had all heard Brother Joe sing many times, " I Thirst."
At the visitation, a song happened to come to the mind of many people, and that song is, "When All God's Singers Get Home." The second verse of that song, written by Luther Presley, says, "As we sing here on earth, songs of sadness or songs of mirth, tis a foretaste of rapture to come, but, our joy can't compare with the glory up there."
We like to think about Brother Joe Shurden singing there now. We thank God for allowing us to have him for this short time, and keep Mrs. Irene and family in prayer.
