Joseph Matthew Green

Joseph Matthew Green, 49, lived a life that left stories in every room he entered. On March 10, 2026, Joe passed from this world, leaving behind a family who loved him fiercely and a community full of people who could all say the same: if you met Joe once, you never forgot him.

Joe was the son of Mary Caudill and Jack Green (Beverly Green). He grew up surrounded by family and carried that same loyalty and love into every part of his life. He was the proud husband of Rhonda Green, and together they built a life full of laughter, hard lessons, forgiveness, and a love that lasted 23 years.

Joe was a father first and always. He leaves behind his sons Preston Green and Tyler Meadors, and his daughter Abby Green, who were the pride of his life. He also loved his bonus daughters Heaven Stowers and Taylor Dillingham, never making a distinction between who was “his” and who wasn’t. One of the greatest joys of Joe’s life was his grandson Archie, who truly was the best part of him. Archie brought out Joe’s softest side, and there was nothing he loved more than being “Papaw.”

He is also survived by his brothers Chris Simmons (Kathy) and Jason Simmons (Tracy), and his sisters Sara Halcomb and Jackie Meredith (Mike), along with many nieces and nephews who will forever remember their Uncle Joe as the one who showed up with stories, advice, and usually something in his hand to give away. A special place in Joe’s heart belonged to Dianne Echols, who he loved as a second mother, and his uncle Howard Owens, with whom he shared a cherished relationship.

Joe was a retired deputy sheriff, a job he wore with pride and from which he drew countless stories. He never met a stranger. If you sat down beside him, you were likely leaving as a friend. Joe believed visits shouldn’t be rushed, conversations should be honest, and if someone needed help, you helped them. Many young people found a mentor in him. His love language was gift giving—if he cared about you, you knew it because he would find something that made him think of you and place it in your hands with a grin.

Joe held strong to his faith and attended iLive Church, believing in grace, redemption, and the promise that this life is not the end. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother Nelly Ruth Owens, maternal grandfather Matthew Owens, his sister Rachel Cosby, and his nephew Triston Morrison. There is comfort in knowing that when Joe reached heaven’s gates, he was met by many loved ones who had gone before him.