Dennis Lamar Joslin
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Dennis Lamar Joslin, age 78, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 3, 2021. He was born June 26, 1942 in Sevierville, Tennessee. He was a member of the Valley View Baptist Church, Wears Valley, Tennessee. He was a member of the Elks, Shriners, Masons, the York Rite, Lions Club, and Commadore of the Vero Beach Yacht Club in Vero Beach, Florida.
Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mayford and Grace Helton Joslin; brothers John Calvin "J.C." Joslin, Robert Benjamin "R.B." Proffitt, and great granddaughter Lilah Guerin.
Survivors include his wife, Carole Joslin; daughters Kelly (Adam) Jones, Tammy (Gary) Daniels; son Ricky (Libby) Joslin; Stepchildren James (Sharon) Joslyn, Karey (Jan) Joslyn; brothers Preston (Kathy) Joslin, Calvin (Paula) Joslin; 9 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Dennis was in the restaurant business his entire life. He began his career working for Hobie Trentham as a dishwasher's helper and pot washer at Hobie's Little Brown Jug Restaurant in Gatlinburg. He spent the winter months working in Sarasota Florida and the summer months in Gatlinburg. By age 23 he was managing The New England Oyster House Restaurant in Florida where he worked his way up to General Manager and then District Manager. When the chain of restaurants was sold, Dennis left the company to move to Petersburg, Illinois to be General Manager of the New Salem Inn. With his years of experience and success in the industry, Dennis and Carole moved to Springfield, Illinois where they opened several successful restaurants including Denny's Mason Jar, The New England Lobster House and The Chesapeake Seafood House which is still in operation today. In 1994, Dennis was named Restauranteur of the year and found great joy in training and inspiring new leaders in the restaurant business, many of whom went on to manage their own restaurants and continue his legacy in the industry. Dennis and Carole retired to Bradenton, Florida where they divided their residence, Florida in the winter and Wears Valley in the summer.
The family will receive friends from 1-3 PM, Sunday, June 6th at Valley View Baptist Church with services to follow at 3 PM. Interment to follow at Valley View Cemetery. Rev. Preston Joslin will officiate, and eulogy offered by Calvin Joslin. Music provided by Jeff and Chris Joslin. Online condolences may be shared at www.atchleyfuneralhome.com.