Joseph Willard Michael Lansdown, son of Roger and Kathy Nelson Lansdown, was born Sept. 25, 1987, in Springfield. He departed this life Wednesday, April 6, 2005, in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, from injuries received in an automobile accident, at the age of 17.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Richard Monroe Lansdown; his maternal grandfather, Jerry Nelson; and his paternal grandparents, Harold “Rattler” and Annette Mae Lansdown.
Joe is survived by his mother, Kathy Nelson, and her companion, Louis Matney, of Seymour; his father, Roger Lansdown and his wife, Katherine, of Mansfield; four sisters, Annette Ramsey, Mansfield, Brandy Jackson, Seymour, D.J. Luckey, Mtn. Grove, and LeAnna Elliott, Ava; two brothers, James Allen Clark, Springfield, and Nathan Allen Clark, Ava; several nieces and nephews; his maternal grandparents, Bonnie and James Sallee, Ava; his paternal grandmother, Earline Lansdown, Norwood; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
He was born in Springfield and was raised in Ava, Seymour and Mansfield, where he attended school. For the last couple of years he had worked at collecting and trading reptiles.
Joe had attended the General Baptist Church in Ava when he was a child.
In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, racing cars, and collecting snakes and alligators. He loved his family dearly and enjoyed spending time with them.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at Holman-Howe Chapel, Mansfield, with the Rev. Robert Roberts officiating. Interment was in Mansfield Cemetery.
