Obituary of Joseph Alba Tatterson

Joseph Alba Tatterson, was born in Fairmont, WV on April 21, 1936, to Claude Junior Tatterson and Evelyn Louise Bunner Tatterson. Joe attended local grade schools and graduated from East Fairmont High School in 1954. Upon graduation, Joe joined the United States Army and served from 1954 to 1957. After leaving the Army, he then qualified for the G.I. Bill and attended Fairmont State College and graduated from West Virginia University in 1961 with a degree in mathematics and physics. On May 30, 1959, Joe married the love of his life, Judith Satterfield and they recently celebrated 62 great years. Joe and Judy had three beautiful daughters, Janie Lynn Burns and husband, Mike; Susan Rene Rodriguez and husband, Steve, and Amy Carol Tatterson, all of Fairmont. They have four wonderful grandchildren, Joshua Burns and Jared Burns, Tyler and his wife Ambroshia Rodriguez, and Cassady Rodriguez. They also have two beautiful great granddaughters, Isabella and Amelia Rodriguez who brought great joy to their lives. Joe is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Juanita Satterfield, Patricia Tatterson-Koncelik, and Carol Tatterson, as well as several nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law Bill Satterfield, and his three brothers, Thomas, Ray, and Lawrence Tatterson. Upon graduation from college, Joe was employed by Owens Corning Fiberglass Corporation as a Product Analyst in Granville, OH. Joe then had the opportunity to move back to Fairmont and was employed by Westinghouse Corporation as a Quality Control Supervisor in the Florescent Lamp Division. Joe was then employed by Southern Ohio Coal Company at the Martinka Coal Mine as Surface Equipment Maintenance and Shop Supervisor. Joe ended his working career by working at Greer Industries in Morgantown, WV. During his life, Joe was a member of various groups and organizations. Joe was an active member of Walnut Grove United Methodist Church serving in several capacities. He taught Sunday School, served as a trustee, chairman of the administrative board, and as church historian. For over thirty years, Joe was a dedicated member of the Disability Action Center, serving in various capacities. He also held membership in the Cross Roads Lions’ Club, received certification in the Dale Carnegie Institute, and served on various Parent/Teacher Organization committees during his daughters’ school years. Memorial donations may be made to the Disability Action Center, 102 Benoni Avenue, Fairmont, WV 26554, or to Walnut Grove United Methodist Church, c/o Jonell Ervin, 1112 Conaway Street, Fairmont, WV 26554. The family has entrusted the services to Ford Funeral Home, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont. The family has requested that the guidelines of facial masks and social distancing be observed. Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 4, 2021 from 11AM until 3PM, and on Sunday, September 5, 2021 from 1PM until 2PM. The funeral will be held in the funeral home on Sunday, September 5, 2021 at 2PM with Pastor Bill Durst and Reverend Bert Coffman officiating. Interment will follow at the Mt. Zion Cemetery in Fairmont where military honors will be held at graveside by the Marion County Veterans Council. Online condolences may be made to www.fordfuneralhomes.com.