In Loving Memory of Joseph W. Worthington III
With heavy hearts and deep sorrow, we remember and honor the life of Joseph W. Worthington III, a 51-year-old man whose life came to a tragic and heartbreaking end in Pitt County, North Carolina. News of his passing has left family, friends, and the community grieving the sudden loss of a man who was deeply loved and whose presence will be profoundly missed.
Joseph was reported missing after 11 p.m. on Sunday, February 8, after last being seen the evening before. Concerned loved ones alerted authorities, and an investigation began immediately. His information was entered into a national database as deputies worked tirelessly to locate him. Around noon on Monday, February 9, Pitt County deputies discovered a wrecked vehicle lodged in a culvert on Stokestown–St. Johns Road near Hanrahan Road in the Grifton area—on land owned by his family and close to where he had been reported missing. Inside the vehicle, they found Joseph’s body, bringing a tragic end to a search filled with hope, worry, and prayers.
Detectives responded to the scene to continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. As of February 10, authorities stated that the case remained under investigation, and the exact events that led to Joseph’s vehicle ending up in the culvert had not yet been determined. While questions remain, what is certain is the pain left behind by his sudden passing and the deep void felt by those who loved him.
Joseph W. Worthington III was more than a name in a report or a subject of an investigation—he was a son, a brother, a friend, and a cherished member of his community. He was someone who carried stories, laughter, and memories that can never be replaced. Those who knew him remember his personality, his kindness, and the moments he shared with others, whether through conversations, shared experiences, or quiet acts of care.
Over the years, Joseph built connections that mattered. He was someone people could rely on, someone who left an impression simply by being himself. His life, though cut short, was filled with moments that will live on in the hearts of those who loved him. Every memory—every laugh, every conversation, every shared moment—now becomes a treasured reminder of the man he was.
As the investigation continues, family and friends are left to mourn, to remember, and to hold onto the love Joseph gave throughout his life. In times like these, words cannot fully express the depth of grief, but they can serve as a tribute to a life that mattered, a life that touched others, and a life that will never be forgotten.
May Joseph W. Worthington III rest in eternal peace. May his family and loved ones find comfort in cherished memories, strength in one another, and peace in knowing that his spirit and legacy will live on forever in their hearts.
Gone too soon, but never forgotten.
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