Mr. Josephus "Joe" B. Ballenger Jr.

NAUGATUCK- Josephus “Joe” B. Ballenger, Jr., age 81, of Naugatuck, CT, passed away peacefully on the morning of July 14, 2025. He was born on February 2, 1944, in Middlesboro, KY, to the late Mattie Sue Ballenger (née Coleman).

Joe loved deeply and lived his life out loud. His journey through life was surrounded by the people who mattered most—family and friends who meant everything to him. With his gift for turning everyday moments into unforgettable stories, Joe had a way of making everyone in his presence feel like they belonged.

So let’s remember Joe Ballenger for the life he lived so fully across 81 unforgettable years—for the kindness he gave so freely, and the way he turned every gathering into a celebration. He made the world feel a little lighter, a little brighter, and a whole lot more alive—and that’s how he’ll live on: in our hearts and in every memory he leaves behind.

The eldest of six children, Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army after graduating from Kentucky State University with a degree in History and Political Science. He went on to serve in Vietnam and was honorably discharged following his wartime service.

Joe believed in following opportunity wherever it led. He began his career working for the government health department in Brooklyn, New York, before eventually settling in Cleveland, Ohio, where he met the love of his life, Jessie Oneeta Bivens. It was in Cleveland that they began their life together and welcomed the first of their three daughters.

Connecticut became home, and it’s where Joe built both a family and a future. He began a decades-long career at The Hartford, rising to the role of Executive Underwriter, and it’s where his second and third daughters were born.

Joe had a deep passion for community, service, and brotherhood—values he lived by and was recognized for throughout his life. His many accolades and honors reflect not only his dedication, but the depth of his character and his unwavering commitment to something greater than himself.

He was a proud and esteemed member of several distinguished organizations, including:

1. 1. Lambda Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
2. 2. Kellogg Lodge #5 F & AM PHA
3. 3. New Haven Consistory #7 PHA
4. 4. United Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, PHA Northern Jurisdiction, U.S.A., Inc., where he was honored as a Grand Inspector General in 2021
5. 5. Goodwill Lodge of ELKS #1325
6. 6. American Legion William Wilson Post 135
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Joe was preceded in death by his daughter, Michelle Lynn. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jessie; two daughters and one son-in-law, Alicia Marie (Jace) and Elizabeth Anne; his grandson, Logan Reid; his sisters, Sandra Williams and Minister Mabel Ballenger-Smith; and his brother, Birdell.

He was also preceded in death by his mother, Mattie Sue; his brothers, Norman Thomas and Richard; and his great-grandmother, Isabel Simms.

Funeral services for Mr. Ballenger will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 9:45 AM at Zion Baptist Church, 137 Pearl Street, Waterbury, CT. Interment will follow at Saint James Cemetery in Naugatuck, CT, where military honors will be accorded for Joe. Relatives and friends may visit with the Ballenger family from 9:00 am to 9:45 am. Loving kindness is always welcome, and it only takes a moment to offer a message of condolence, words of comfort, or share a memory with the family and friends of someone important to you on the funeral home website. Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Care 1987 East Main St Waterbury CT has been honored to care for Joe and her family during this difficult time. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family, please visit the funeral home's Sympathy Store at www.caseyfunerals.com.