Joseph Alphonson Workman was born in Nassau, Bahamas to the late J. A. Workman and the late Amelia Adderley.  To this union three children were born, Joseph being the oldest.  

Joseph was raised in Nassau and resided there until he relocated to the United States, Vero Beach, Florida 1952.  There he met and married Inez Tomlin Rivers.  To this union they were blessed with four beautiful sons, Billy C. workman, Keith Workman, Roderick Workman and Derrick E. Dean, Sr.  Two step daughters, Janetha Francis and Diane Rivers.  He moved to Iowa many years later and returned to Vero Beach, Florida in 1975.  There he met Evangelist Rachel Staley and her six sons and two daughters, Willie, Larry, Calvin, Earnest, Jerry, Benny, Lucy and Deborah Staley.  In 1976 he gave his life to the Lord under the leadership of Evangelist William Hopkins and was called into the ministry in 1985.  His hobby and joy was playing his guitar as well as working in the ministry.  In 1979, he proprosed to the love of his life, Rachel, and they were married on October 5, 1979.  They both continued to work in the ministry, in state and ouf of state.  Years later, they became members of Bibleway Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Pastor Jack Buckner.  He was preceded in death by his son, Derrick E. Dean, Sr.

On Monday, September 23, 2013, God came to visit his bedside and quietly took him away into the hands of Almighty God.  He leaves to cherish his memories; a loving devoted wife, Rachel Workman, three sons, Billy C. Workman of Charlotte, South Carolina, Keith Workman of Vero Beach, Florida and Roderick Workman of Denver, California, Four stepdaughters; Janetha Francis, Diane Chenault, both of Vero Beach, Florida, Lucy Staley of Miami, Deborah (Johnny) Cuevas of West Palm Beach, Florida,  Six stepsons; Willie Staley, Larry Staley, Benny T. (Ronda) Staley all of Vero Beach, Florida.  Calvin Staley of West Palm Beach, Florida, Earnest (Harriet) Staley of Fort Pierce, Florida and Jerry (Helen) Staley of Port Saint Lucie, Florida.   Daughter in law; Latrice E. Dean; one sister; Harriet Shaw of Vero Beach, Florida, Six brothers in law; William (Barbara) Copeland, Kenneth (Nora Lee) Copeland, Willie Parker, John Henry Parker, James (Amy) Parker all of Fort Pierce, Florida and Johnny (Shirley) Parker of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Six sisters in law; Carrie McMillian, Louis Robinson, Juanita Noble, Evelyn (Clarius) Germaine all of Fort Pierce, Florida.  Nita (Otis) Brantley of California and Patricia (Waymond) Arnett of Woodbridge, Virginia.  One Special Aunt; Maggie Alexander of Monticello, Florida, Goddaughters, Gillian (Leon) Freeman, Gwendolyn (Octavious) Miller, Special daughters; Katherine Mitchner and Nissia Moore; Special son and daughter ; Randy & Jacklyn Buckner; Special friend; Marilyn Yarbrough and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and sorrowing friends.