Joe Goodnight

Joe Addison Goodnight, Jr., known by some as Joey, passed away peacefully on Sunday January 4th, 2015 after battling a vicious diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease for 13 years. Born in Norfolk, VA and raised in Concord, NC, Joe graduated from Concord High School in 1969. After high school, he attended Lenoir Rhyne College and graduated from UNC Charlotte with a degree in Sociology.

Joe’s natural charisma and spontaneous humor ignited his career as a true entertainer. Though his career choice seemed unconventional to some, to those who knew Joe, it only made sense that he would dedicate his life to making other people smile. Joe was a talented comedian, on and off the stage, an incredible gift that even his illness couldn’t steal from him. He considered his days as a dancer/entertainer to be some of the best days of his life.

Following the birth of his daughter Olivia in 1999, Joe abandoned his dancing days for fatherhood, a career he soon fell in love with. He was a selfless father. Though his disease limited him tremendously, he always put the needs of people he loved, especially his daughter, above his own. Joe’s memory is treasured, and the world will not be the same without his bright humor and beaming smile.

Joe is preceded in life by his dear mother Madge Edsell Goodnight and his father, Joe Addison Goodnight, Sr. He is survived by his daughter Olivia Isabella Goodnight, his brother Michael D. Goodnight, his sister-in-law Marla Goodnight, his niece Constance Goodnight, his nephew Christopher Goodnight and his wife Melissa and his great niece Hadley Rose Goodnight.

The Goodnight family would also like to thank two very special people, Susan Mangum and John Purvis who stood by Joe’s side his whole life and supported him during his battle with Parkinson’s.

Hartsell Funeral Home is serving the Goodnight family.