Joseph Mitchell Prude, Jr., passed away July 8, 2026, at age 78.

 Joel was born in Birmingham, Alabama, to Mary Beth and Mitchell Prude. At Ensley High School, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham-Southern College where he met his wife, Jayne. Joel retired from TVA and later worked for Mechanical Dynamics and Analysis. He was a lifelong member of the Methodist church and donor to the American Red Cross. He enjoyed spending time on the river, playing tennis, reading, watching sports, making jokes, and spoiling his cats. 

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Jayne Prude, daughter Dr. Alyson Prude and husband Damon Bland, son Tommy McCain and wife Dr. Stephanie McCain, grandchildren Marren and Hawkins McCain and sister Audrey Ann Wilson and husband Jim. His family is especially thankful to the staff at Caringplace of the Shoals and to the nurses at Compassus Hospice and Mitchell Hollingsworth. A funeral service will be held at 11:00, Tuesday, July 14, at First United Methodist Church, Florence, with the Reverends Dale Cohen and Ian Butler officiating. Visitation will be an hour before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Caringplace of the Shoals (210 Marengo St., Suite I, Florence AL 35630) or First United Methodist Church, Florence (414 N Seminary St., Florence AL 35630)