Mr. Joseph William “Joe” Glidewell, III, 76, of Thompson Drive, Elberton, husband of Jane Balchin Glidewell, passed away suddenly but peacefully on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in the comfort of his home.

An only child, Joe was born in Elberton on April 12, 1950, to Joseph William Glidewell, II and Christina Gomez Glidewell. He graduated from Elbert County High School in 1968 and received his Bachelor’s in Education from Georgia Southern in 1972. Mr. Glidewell later earned a Master’s from Georgia College.

Mr. Glidewell began his teaching career at Samuel Elbert Academy where he taught Social Studies for two years before joining the special education department at Blackwell Junior High School. Joe then taught Social Studies at Boddie Junior High School in Milledgeville before returning to Elberton. Mr. Glidewell taught for several years at Elbert County Middle School before moving to Elbert County Comprehensive High School in 1989, where he taught American and World History, as well as AP History, and served as Department Head for the Social Studies Department. Many former students would later tell him that his class notes were so thorough that they used them in their college classes. After his retirement in 2005, Joe worked at ECCHS as an academic coach for an additional two years. He then taught for two years in the social studies department at Calhoun Falls High School, fully retiring from the classroom in 2009. Mr. Glidewell devoted 37 years of his life to enriching the lives of young people.

During his time at Blackwell Junior High, Joe met Jane, who he always called “Janie” because that is how assistant principal Leeon Smith introduced them. The two became friends and he eventually asked her out. They married on April 30, 1978, and enjoyed 48 years of marriage.

A man of great faith, Joe grew up attending St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. After his marriage to Jane, he joined Bethlehem United Methodist Church where he spent many years teaching the adult Sunday school class. He was a founding and current member of Grace United Methodist Church.

Joe had a deep love for music. A fan of Blues and Southern Rock, he played lead guitar in many groups throughout his life. He was also an avid sports fan, a collector and trader of baseball cards, and enjoyed cheering on his beloved New York Yankees. Joe was blessed that each of his sons shared one of his passions with him, JoJo, with music, and Clarke, with sports.

Above all, his greatest love was his family. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Jane, of Elberton; son, Joseph William “JoJo” Glidewell, IV of Athens; daughter-in-law, Cassie Glidewell of Grayson; and his beloved granddaughters, Lydia Jane and Willow Grace, who were the lights of their “PaPa’s” life. Also surviving are his sisters-in-law: Patty Balchin of Elberton and Fran Hendley of Bloomfield, Missouri. Joe is preceded in death by his parents and son, Robert Clarke Glidewell.

The family is at the residence and will receive friends on Friday, May 8, from 6:00p.m. until 8:00p.m. at Berry Funeral Home.

Funeral services celebrating Joe’s life will be conducted on Saturday, May 9, at 3:00p.m. in the Memorial Chapel of Berry Funeral Home officiated by the Rev. Jim McCollough. He will be laid to rest in the cemetery at Bethlehem Methodist Church. Pallbearers are Ned Jones, Brett Tattnall, Dr. Daniel Gordon, Greg Jarvis, Kenneth Little, Glenn Parham, Jeff Adams, and Jay Gulley.

Flowers are accepted and contributions may be made in his memory to Bethlehem Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 1025 Welcome Church Road, Elberton, GA 30635, Grace United Methodist Church, 109 Brookside Drive, Elberton GA 30635, or Nuci’s Space Musician's Resource Center, 396 Oconee Street, Athens, GA 30601.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mr. Joseph William “Joe” Glidewell, III.