Joseph "Joe" Hickman Alewine

Joseph "Joe" Hickman Alewine, of Groesbeck, passed away at his home Thursday, May 31, 2012. Seventy-one years ago Florence and Ollie Alewine welcomed Baby Boy Alewine in to the world. The doctor that delivered this baby boy was in such a hurry to leave on a troop train to join the U.S. military forces that he neglected to put a name on the birth certificate. So unbeknownst to Joe, he was Baby Boy Alewine until he married Nancy and needed to get a visa for his honeymoon. That interesting start laid the groundwork for a truly interesting life. Joe grew up in Big Hill and Groesbeck Texas. His life was football, college, marriage, job, kids, family, friends... all ordinary words to describe an extraordinary life. He was big man with a big heart, a dogged will, and a mind as big as the great outdoors. Joe started his life in Big Hill. He moved away for school, marriage, family and work. He traveled the world with his family but his heart forever remained in Limestone County. Life came full circle in 1996 when he and Nancy returned to Groesbeck. The love and fellowship shown to Joe and Nancy by the Groesbeck community illustrates why his heart never left “God’s Country.” He is preceded in death by his brothers Lenoel Alewine, Homer Alewine and his parents Florence and Ollie Alewine. They are now rejoicing with him in Heaven. He is survived by his dedicated wife of 44 years Nancy, loving daughters Cindy and her husband Stephen Spess, Amanda Jane and her husband John Blackley, and his favorite grandson Ethan Spess, all from Austin; his loyal brother Waylon Alewine of Groesbeck; baby sister Rita and her husband Leo Davis of Deer Park, and favorite sister in law Ann Alewine of Groesbeck. His nephews and nieces will miss him greatly: Danny Alewine and his wife Karen of Bryan, Diane Doughty and her husband Terry of Ft. Worth, Rucker Davis and his wife Nikki of Houston, Mark Alewine of Groesbeck, Mike Davis and his wife Julie of Pearland, Lisa Bruner and her husband CW of Groesbeck. As will his great nephews and nieces: Eric Doughty and his wife Tarah, Chance Alewine, Cody Bruner, Sam Alewine, Caycee Bruner, Noah Davis, Celia Davis, Luke Davis and Chase Davis; and great great nephew Carter Doughty. Never forgetting his vast array of close friends. If you were a friend of Joe’s, you were special to him and he let you know that in countless subtle and not so subtle ways. A celebration of Joe's life will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Groesbeck on Sunday June 10th at 2:00 p.m. Family and friends will gather to share memories and stories and the lessons they learned by knowing Joe. The theme of the celebration is laughter through tears. A reception and slide show will follow. In lieu of flowers, Joe would like you to make a donation in his name to two causes near and dear to his heart: Groesbeck Athletic Booster Club 501 E. Jacinto Groesbeck Tx 76642 Big Hill Cemetery Association C/O Pamela Sodd 286 LCR 626 Groesbeck Tx 76642