Joseph O. Sansbury

Born July 27, 1938, Toledo, Ohio, Joseph O. Sansbury was the twelfth of fourteen children born to the late Walter and Carrie Frye Sansbury.  He was a 1957 graduate of Jesup W. Scott High School where all of his siblings attended.  As a student at Scott High School, Joe was band president, a member of the HI-Y, and the Athletic Committee of the Student Council.  A four-year member of the track and cross-country team, he was number one in the city for hurdles and went to the state championships. Joe was inducted into the Jesup W. Scott High School Hall of Fame in 2017.

Joe received Christ at an early age.  He was baptized at St. Philip Lutheran Church where his family have been lifelong members.  After leaving St. Philip, Joe became a member of Payne Memorial Methodist Church and he later joined St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Sylvania, Ohio.

Joe attended The Ohio State University and graduated from Central State University with a bachelor’s degree in education.  He received his master’s degree in education and Administration with a concentration in Curriculum and Guidance and Counseling from The University of Toledo.  He took advanced courses in Education at Wayne State University, University of Akron, and The University of Toledo.

In November 1966, he married Jettie Brown.  To this union they had two daughters, Shawn and Amy.  In 2016, they celebrated fifty years of marriage.

Joe started his career as a classroom teacher, later becoming a traveling Health and Physical Education teacher.  Redirecting his focus, he became Assistant Director of Admissions for the University of Akron.  He later accepted the position of Executive Director of Concentrated Employment Program (CEP) in Toledo.

Returning to Education, Joe served as principal of Collingwood Learning Center, Garfield, and Oakdale elementary schools as well as Old West End and Robinson Junior High Schools.  Receiving a promotion, he became the first African American Director for Certified Teacher Personnel for Toledo Public Schools.  He remained in that position until his retirement.  After retirement, he became an Instructor and Counselor for Fresh Start Academy, and later the position of School Leader for the George Phillips Academy.  He eventually returned to Toledo Public Schools as the Director of Certified Teacher Personnel.  His final retirement was in 2010.

He was a member of many professional organizations during his career, including the Great Lakes Association for School, College, and University Staffing Board of Directors, and was President of Toledo Association of Elementary School Principals.  Additionally, he served as Vice President of Phi Delta Kappa, trustee for Toledo Association of Administrative Personnel and was the first African American President of Ohio Association of School Personnel Administrators.

Within the community, Joe served on Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce, Project FEED (Future Educators Enhancing Diversity) and on the Boards of Lutheran Social Services and Lutheran Homes.  Joe was a Life Member of his beloved Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, where he served as President for two terms and Historian Emeritus for the Toledo Chapter, Alpha Xi Lambda.  Joe was recognized as “Recruiter of the Year” by Bowling Green State University and was the recipient of the NAACP ACT-SO-Service Award.  He also served as a Docent at Lathrop House.

Joe passed away unexpectedly August 11, 2022, at The Toledo Hospital.  He was proceeded in death by his parents and twelve siblings.

Joe leaves to cherish his wife of fifty-five years Jettie; his daughters Shawn and Amy; his grand-daughter Haley Townsend who was the apple of his eye; brother William (Betty) Sansbury; sister-in-law, Joyce Woods Sansbury; devoted nieces and nephews Michelle (Otis) Smith; Dr. Deniese Key; Linda Hughes; Debra Jelks; Terry Sansbury; Patricia Shears; Walter Sansbury, Jr.; Richard Sansbury, Jr.; Robert (Tanisha) Sansbury; and nephew and godson James Joseph Smith; and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Toledo Hospital, especially the second and the ninth floor ICU wing A and Dr. Upamaka Rao, his primary care physician.

Wake service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, August 18, 2022, with Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc. Omega service followed by funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Olivet Lutheran Church 5840 Monroe Street, Sylvania, Ohio, Pastor Beth Johnson officiant. Interment Toledo Memorial Park.