Joel Edward Wooten was born April 11, 1941, in Trinity, Texas, to Leon and Lena May Wooten. When he became of school age he attended Trinity Colored School. As he got older he played basketball and football (Mascot: Trinity Thoroughbred, the school colors were green and gold. After graduating Trinity Colored School, he moved to Houston, Texas, where he lived over 50 years. His employment included being a chef at Newberry restaurant, a furniture deliverer for Blum's and a taxi driver.

Joel passed away September 26, 2024, in Focus Care Nursing Facility. Before he passed he knew everyone's name. He had his days that he would be nice (if he got enough sleep) and if not, Oh Boy….Look Out!

He was preceded in death by his parents: Leon and Lena M. Wooten; daughter: Debra; grandmother: Lizzie Phillip; uncles: Sam, Syl, and James; aunts: Janie, Johnnie Mae, and Eula; cousins: Billie and Percy, and nephew: Jeffery.

Loving survivors include daughter: Jacqueline Williams; grandchildren: Laronica and Daryl; one great-grandson; brother: Leon (Linda); sister: Brenda (Napoleon, Sr.);  nephews: Mark, Heath (Shawna), and  Napoleon, Jr. (Jennifer),  great-nieces: Jade, Jasmine, Kyndle (Dom), Natalie, and Lenae; great-great nieces: Kami, Zoriya, Star, Heaven, and Hannah; great nephew: Jeffery; great-great nephew: Kyrie; extended family: Nita and Stevon; honorable mention also to a host of cousins and friends. Also, to those who cared for him while he was in Focus Care: Stephanie, Desmond, Jessica, Felicia, Brenda, Paulie, Kristi, Amy, Dorothy, Mike, Summer, Kim, and others.