Joe Louis Appling

Sunrise for Mr. Joe Louis Appling was August 10, 1936, in Waxhaw, NC. He was the son of the late Obe Appling and Ida Cureton Appling Howie.

A life well spent, Joe Louis attended Western Union School and Second Ward High School. He later graduated from Teamer School of Religion. He served in the US Navy. He accepted Christ as his Savior at a young age and was a faithful member of University Park Baptist Church, now known as The Park, until his health declined. At a young age, he was a lifeguard at the YMCA and worked with his brother James Appling, owner and operator of Appling Commercial Building and Maintenance, Inc. After learning the operations of the janitorial business, he became owner and operator of Interstate Janitorial Service, serving North and South Carolina. Joe Louis had a heart of gold and would help anyone in need, generally employing those that could not find employment in the regular job circuit.

Joe Louis was very athletic: he was an avid swimmer, loved golf and tennis and was a semi-professional bowler, bowling on circuits across the country. He loved to travel and expose his children to the world; he made every trip a learning experience. He was an avid supporter of NC A&T State University, where he educated both of his daughters.

On Saturday, April 24, 2021, he departed this life at his residence. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Ernest Howie; dear brothers, John Appling, Samuel Appling, James Appling and Claude Appling; lovely sisters, Virginia Polk and Cora Lee Johnson; sisters-in-law, Mildred Appling, Othenia Appling and Ella Mae Givens; brothers-in-law, Stuart Polk, John Dale Givens and Charles Crawford; and a beloved son-in-law, Walter Bernard Weddington.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife of 64 years Mary L. Appling; two daughters, Margie A. Weddington and Jonetta Appling (Shaun Howard); one granddaughter, Ashley Marie Howard; sisters-in-law, Arsonia F. Appling, Ola Mae Ardrey (Brice) and Madge Givens; brother-in-law, Arthur Givens; sons-of-love, Eddie Williams and Lester T. Lewis; nieces, nephews and a host of relatives and friends.