Joseph Moses Sorrell III, of Iron Gate, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville at the age of 58.

Mr. Sorrell was born April 28, 1956 in Clifton Forge to the late Joseph Sorrell, Jr. and Alice Acey Sorrell.

He was educated at Central Academy and James River High School and was a graduate of Ferrum College and Concord College

After graduation from college, he taught and coached in Omar and Logan, West Virginia. He returned home and began teaching and coaching at Alleghany High School in Low Moor.

Joseph touched the lives of many people and was very passionate about his students.

His hobbies included cooking and community work. A faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Iron Gate, he organized and directed the DCP Choir until his health failed. He was also a member of the Gospel Voices.

Mr. Sorrell received the Community Tap Award and was inducted into the Hall of Fame at James River High School, along with other numerous awards.

Left to cherish his memory are his sisters, Lorraine Cooper of Rochester, NY and Linda Carter of Ashville, NC; his nieces, Nicole Cooper of Rochester, NY and Wendy Benjamin and husband, Kelvin of Ashville, NC; his great nieces, Jasmine and Deja Cooper of Rochester, NY and Destin, Amiah, and Quiana Benjamin of Ashville, NC; cousins, Diane Quarels, Winky Dunn, Costella Scott, Leroy Brown and wife, and Bedford Hunt; a God-sister, Barbara Pierce and husband, Roscoe; Mrs. Shirley Brown (Alice's best friend), who was like a mother to and her daughter, Janice; Leonard and Sylvia Jones; special friends, Danny Christian, Archie Godfrey, Bobby Rhonda and Nathan Kern, Tenie Man Wallace, attorney Bobby Taylor, Senator Creigh Deeds, Dawn, Karen, Ms. Lefrich, and Artie Murphy and wife.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 5, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Iron Gate with Reverend Harold Preston officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Covington. The family received friends on Friday, July 4th, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge. Arrangements by Nicely Funeral Home, 405 Alleghany Street, Clifton Forge, VA 24422. Phone (540) 862-4157 Fax (540) 862-5723.

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