Joseph Ernest Milburn, Sr., 89, of Leonardtown, MD died February 12, 2007 in Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, Charlotte Hall, MD.

Born May 31, 1917 in Beauvue, MD, he was the only son of the late Ernest Ignatius and Mary Rosalee (Adams) Milburn.

He grew up in the White Point/Leonardtown Area, working and attending school locally. His early years had him fishing and crabbing on the Potomac River and its tributaries along the White Point/Breton Bay Area. He often told stories of life on the water and how back then a dozen soft-shells (crabs) would sell for $0.25.

Joseph joined the U.S. Army on April 3, 1941. His military took place at posts in Kentucky, Tennessee and Louisiana. On October 2, 1944 he sailed overseas to Leghorn, Italy. As a World War II Soldier, Joseph made history as a member of the first all black tank Battalion #758. While overseas he supported the war effort in Italy, France, and Germany.

After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Joseph began working for the U. S. Navy at Patuxent River MD in the Public Works Department. Later he worked for the St. Mary's County Board of Education. Regardless of his full-time job, Joseph always had time to assist friends and family on the weekends by lending a helping hand to a building or landscaping project.

Joseph was raised in the Catholic Faith and continued to worship regularly throughout his life. On April 21, 1946 he married, Sarah Alberta Mason. They had five children.

Joseph was known for traveling around the county, especially the Leonardtown area, with his Guitar in tow. He would entertain his friends with songs, some actual recordings (i.e. Hot Rod Lincoln, Johnny B. Goode, and Country Roads) and others he made up as he went along. He was a regular prankster and always had a joke or two for his family and friends.

Joseph leaves to mourn his passing; his wife of 60 years, Sarah Alberta (Mason) Milburn, three daughters; Agnes V. (Mason) Fenwick, Sarah J. Holt and Sheila A. Milburn, one son; Joseph E. Milburn, Jr., one son-in-law, George F. Holt and one daughter-in-law, Agnes Bush, two grandsons; A. Cleaver Mason and Warren Lewis, four granddaughters; Jessica Fenwick, Duana Holt, Shania Hill, Shana Holt, two step grand-daughters; Gloria Bostick and Tara Bush, one great-grandson, A. Jamar Mason, one grand-daughter-in-law, Michelle Mason, seven sisters-in-law, six brothers-in-law, cousins, Catherine "Kitty" Price and Jack and Elizabeth "Puddin" Holly; a host of family and friends.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Ford I. Milburn, one son-in-law, George F. Fenwick, and cousins, James W., James M. and John Milburn.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, February 17, 2007 from 9- 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady's Catholic Church, Medley's Neck, Leonardtown, MD, with A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Thomas LaHood will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to HOSPICE House c/o HOSPICE of St. Mary's, Inc., P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.