Joseph Earl Cannon (CSM, U.S. Army, Ret.)

CSM Joseph Earl Cannon (U.S. Army, Retired), 83, passed away on Monday, August 22, 2022 at home surrounded by his family.

He lived in Liberty County for the past fifty years. He retired from the U.S. Army after twenty-eight years as a Command Sgt. Major and did three tours of duty in Vietnam. While serving his country, he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, 2nd Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, 25 Air Combat Medals, Vietnam Combat Medal, and 5 Purple Hearts. He also retired from the GA Department of Transportation where he was a bridge inspector. He was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hinesville. He was also a Mason and a Shiner, and he enjoyed watching movies, especially Westerns. 

Joe was preceded in death by his wife of forty-six years, Delores D. Cannon.

He is survived by his daughter, Deborah Cannon Finger of Colonels Island; son and daughter-in-law, Joseph Frank Cannon (Smokey Bear Joe) and Lynn of Colonels Island; four grandchildren, Stefany Lightcap, Joseph Owen Cannon, Alexandria Finger, and Michael Finger; one great-grandchild, Aurora Woods; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 28, 2022 at Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 29, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church of Hinesville. Joe will lie-in-state for 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial with Full Military Honors and Masonic Rites will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 in Beaufort National Cemetery, 1601 Boundary Street, Beaufort, SC 29902.

In lieu of flowers, Joe's family requests donations be made to the Children's Scottish Rite Hospital, 1575 Northeast Expressway, Atlanta, GA 30329.

Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel is handling the arrangements. To share a memory or leave a condolence, please visit www.carteroglethorpe.com.