Rev. Joe Benjamin Crosby Jr.

Rev. Joe Benjamin Crosby, Jr. was born June 20, 1955 to the union of Tennessee Louisa and Joe Benjamin Crosby, Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Anita; and a brother, Marvin. He was baptized at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church in 1967 and remained a faithful servant of the Lord all of his days. He accepted his call to preaching and was licensed at Metropolitan in 1975. He became ordained in 1981 at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church under Rev. A. M. Hudson, Sr. While at Metropolitan, he served as Children’s Church Minister under the pastoral guidance of Rev. Dr. Wallace S. Hartsfield, Sr. Upon completing his studies, he went on to serve as Assistant to the Pastor at Mount Zion Baptist Church of Holmesburg, PA. He was Pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church of Coatesville, PA for 14 years. Following that tenure, he served as an Associate Pastor of Philadelphia Baptist Church; then, from 2015 until his departure, as Pastor of Christ International Baptist Church. Joe had a passion for learning, taking on as many opportunities as he could to deepen his knowledge in a wide range of disciplines. A straight-A student, he attended Phillis Wheatley Elementary and Lincoln Junior High School before graduating from Lincoln Senior High School in 1973. He attended Western Baptist Bible College and Kansas City Business College, where he earned a Certificate in Business Management and General Accounting. From there, he pursued undergraduate education at William Jewell College, where he achieved the W. D. Johnson Award for Exemplary Academic Achievement. He graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Sociology in 1986. Most of all, though, it was his theological journey that he credited for enhancing and enriching his life. He continued his education at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he served as Black Student Fellowship President and received his Master of Divinity. Beyond his degrees, he completed a student intern practicum at Salem Baptist Church of Jenkintown, PA, spent a summer at Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA and participated in an Extended Studies program at the Appalachian Ministries Educational Research Exchange in Berea, KY to seek even further wisdom and inspiration as he fulfilled his calling. Joe’s ministerial impact extended far beyond the pulpit. In the field of social work, he served as a case manager with The Children’s Choice Foster Care Agency in Philadelphia. Later, he was a case manager then supervisor of Outpatient Therapy and Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services at Northeast Treatment Centers. True to form as a champion of education, he was honored to be asked to be the baccalaureate speaker at commencement for Coatesville Area Senior High School for two years. Joe loved his family deeply. He was united in matrimony to Aquilla Calloway on September 22, 1990. To this union, two sons were born: Joe Benjamin III and Hezekiah Daniel. Joe spoke freely and often of how proud he was of the young men they were becoming and had become. He enjoyed visiting his Kansas City family and friends whenever he could, and when he could not, just a phone call meant that he was never far away. Keeping his finger on the cultural pulse, he would just as eagerly discuss the latest movies and tv shows as he would ask you what’s on the menu for dinner, give counsel to the concerns of your heart, or take a trip down memory lane with you. In his leisure, he enjoyed reading, fishing, playing chess, and sharing with anyone he encountered loving encouragement through God’s Word. Joe was called home to glory on January 24, 2024. He leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Aquilla Crosby; son, Joe Benjamin Crosby, III; son, Hezekiah Daniel Crosby; sister, Jo Ann (Michael) Crosby Higgins; brother, Melvin Leroy (Narene) Crosby; niece, Nicole D’Ann Higgins; childhood friend, Rev. Pleze Smith; and a host of loving cousins, relatives, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ. Funeral services Saturday, February 10, at !2:00pm at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. Interment Forest Hill Cem. Visitation Arrangements entrusted to Lawrence A. Jones & Sons. Condolences may be shared on our website.

Rev. Joe Benjamin Crosby Jr.

June 20, 1955 - January 24, 2024