Joseph Norton Priest

Joseph Norton Priest, age 88, of Moore County, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026, at Peak Resources – Pinelake in Carthage, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on June 24, 1937, in Pinehurst, North Carolina, to the late Archie Robert Priest and Mary Mag Fields Priest, Joe dedicated more than 20 years of service to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. He was known as a dependable and hardworking man who embodied dedication, kindness, and generosity throughout his life.

Joe found joy in the simple pleasures of hunting and fishing, tending his garden, and listening to gospel bluegrass music. He cherished time spent outdoors and sharing those moments with family and friends. Above all, he loved his family deeply, especially his grandson Kyle, and held a special place in his heart for all of his pets. A wholesome, giving, and helpful man, Joe was always willing to lend a hand to neighbors and friends. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and a faithful friend to many. The Priest family created many treasured memories together, particularly during their yearly family vacations.

A longtime member of Priest Hill Presbyterian Church, Joe lived guided by his faith and commitment to his community. He was preceded in death by his parents, his twin brother Paul, and his other eleven siblings: Daniel, Charlie, Cary, John, Richard, Bill, Robert, Irvin, Mack, and his sisters Alice and Maggie. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Emily Brown Priest; his daughter, Debra Priest McPherson and her husband Jim, of Cameron, North Carolina; his grandson, Kyle Joseph McPherson; and many beloved nieces and nephews.