Mr. Joseph M. Isom, born in 1923, died Feb. 4. A native of Taft, Lincoln County, Tenn., Mr. Isom was the son of the late Athol Isom and Mildred Commons Isom.
A graduate of Blanche High School, Lincoln County, Tenn., he was a Georgia resident since 1961, in Newton County since 1978. With two sons, he started the family business Metro Ice Corporation, from which he retired in 2001. His previous employment was Vice President of Operations, Atlanta/Southeast, for a mortgage and finance company, LLC Corporation of St. Louis, Mo. The company transferred him to Atlanta from Detroit in 1961, and in 1976, he retired to enter business for himself.
Mr. Isom was a World War II veteran, serving as a staff sergeant in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations for 22 months, responsible for feeding both American and Chinese troops who were building and fighting on the Ledo Road. He was also a member of the Rohna Memorial Association. The Rohna was a British troop ship traveling in Convoy KMF-26 when it was sunk on Nov. 26, 1943, in the Mediterranean Ocean by the first radio-controlled German Bomb of World War II. One thousand and fifteen GIs lost their lives. He witnessed this disaster from aboard the sister ship Banfora. He received an Honorable Discharge with a Bronze Star in January 1946.
A longtime member of Allen Memorial United Methodist Church in Oxford, he served as Chairman of the Missions Committee and was a member of the Pastor-Parrish Committee and the Uncle Nath Sunday School Class. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Betty Isom, son David Isom, granddaughter Dr. Amanda Layne Isom and parents Athol F. and Mildred (Commons) Isom.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law John W. and Donna Isom of Conyers, Thomas A. and Rose Anne Isom of Boca Raton, Fla.; Nancy Isom of Ellijay; grandchildren Meagan and Kevin Babb, Alissa Isom, Matthew and Ali Isom, Thomas Isom II; great-grandsons Keven Cooper Babb, Hudson Joseph Babb, Griffin Babb; and nephew A.J. Isom.
A memorial service for Mr. Isom will be held 2 p.m. tomorrow, Feb. 7, at Allen Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Max Vincent officiating. A private family interment will take place Friday, Feb. 8, in the Georgia National Cemetery, Canton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army, 5193 Washington St. SW, Covington, GA 30014. The family will receive friends at the church, from 1 to 2 p.m.
