Joseph Hayward Lamb

Joseph Hayward Lamb entered into the eternal presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 18, 2025. His Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, December 30, 2025 in the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., West Ashley Chapel, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway at 10:00 am. The family will receive friends Tuesday one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Live Oak Memorial Gardens.

Son of Conrad W. and Celia Smith Lamb of Maine, Joe was raised with five siblings, including a twin brother, Sayward, who “carried his fishing pole everywhere” while Joe “carried his baseball bat.” Joe loved baseball and basketball, excelled at both (even trying out for the Red Sox minor league affiliate!), and later became a successful referee of basketball and soccer for many years, eventually being inducted into the Hall of Fame of the South Carolina Basketball Officials Association.

Life in Maine included hard work, brutal winters and, of course, drinking Moxie! After graduating from high school in 1944, Joe joined the Navy and the folks in West Paris, Maine, especially his mother, were very curious to know what he had done to have FBI agents around town asking questions about his lifestyle as a young lad.

This investigation was part of the top secret clearance needed for Joe to join the Naval Security Group (NSG) for service in the Pacific Fleet Radio Unit in Hawaii (message codebreakers). After the war, Joe had three assignments at NSG Headquarters in Washington, DC and was also stationed in Charleston, SC where he met and married Mary Louise Chaplin. Over 70 years of marriage, Mary and Joe raised three daughters, Pam, Patty and Nancy and enjoyed many family adventures overseas with the Navy, at the SC beaches and during summer trips to Maine.

Joe ended his 22-year naval career at the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer, then worked for many years at the Medical University of South Carolina as an administrator. In retirement, Joe and Mary enjoyed a camp in Maine next to his twin brother’s place, fixed it up and spent a number of summers there with family and friends. Joe loved competing (and winning) in all kinds of card and skill games-Pinochle, cribbage, cornhole, golf. He ran (and won) competitive road races into his early 80s. He even won an assisted living pool competition at 97 years old!

Joe served God, his family and his country persistently and faithfully. He was a pillar at Northbridge Baptist Church in Charleston for 57 years. He loved God’s Word and diligently read, studied and taught it in Sunday school at Northbridge. And his desire to serve others was evident as he was always asking people around him, “Can I help you?”

He will be greatly missed by his daughters, Pamela Doshier of Yellville, AK; Patricia Homcy (Stephen) of Bixby, OK; and Nancy Lamb of Charleston, SC; his five grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

Wherever Joe went, he was loved by many and remembered by all. We feel the loss of a great man, but celebrate his legacy of love, laughter and loyalty. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

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