Joseph Lehman Obituary, Death – We are writing to notify you that Father Joe, who served as the pastor of OLN for 22 years, passed away this afternoon at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Our hearts are heavy as we share this news with you. We will get in touch with you as soon as possible to keep you updated on the arrangements that Father Joe’s family has made for him. In the meantime, please pray for him, his family, and especially his mother Beverly. She is the one who needs your help the most. He watched over us as our shepherd, and we were his flock. He leaves behind the testimony of a decent life that was guided by the love of God throughout his entire existence. He left behind a model of selflessness and self-sacrifice that was instrumental in making a change for the better that was felt well beyond the confines of the parishes he served.
In addition to this, he leaves behind a legacy of faith and optimism, which serves as a reminder to “see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly.” Hear with favor our prayers, which we humbly offer, O Lord, for the salvation of the soul of Father Joe, your servant and Priest, so that he, who devoted a lifetime of faithful ministry to your name, may find joy in the eternal company of your Saints. Hear with favor our prayers, which we humbly offer, for the salvation of the soul of Father Joe, your servant, and Priest. We make our request in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
He was a source of joy and compassion for everyone he met, making him a boon to our whole community. We are reminded that, as one youngster from a primary school put it, “He is with the angels now, and God welcomed him home” A comment such as that coming from a child helps give all of us peace in the midst of this challenging time, and it also encourages us to be grateful and feel blessed for the time we did have here with him. Walsingham Academy wishes you a blessed day and thanks you for your service, Father Joe.
