Joe Vitela Hernandez, age 76, passed away on Saturday, February 4, 2017. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 2 PM in the Holy Angels Catholic Church with Father Marco Gonzalez officiating. Burial will follow in Childress Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Rosary will be held on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at 6 PM at the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Joe was born on October 5, 1940 in Lamotte Township, Michigan to Margarito and Dominga (Vitela) Hernandez. A hard worker, he was a plumber in Childress for many years, having worked for Bobby Hammonds and then for himself. A jokester at heart, Joe loved to make people laugh and see them happy. He loved to be active, which often included dancing, hunting, fishing, singing, playing harmonica, and cooking BBQ. He attended Holy Angels Catholic Church for many years. Above all else, Joe loved his family, and he took great pride and joy in their accomplishments and took every opportunity he had to be with them. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Glenda (Trent) Hernandez, sons Jody Hernandez and Ricky Hernandez, stepson Ryan Trent, brother Mike Hernandez, sisters Esperanza Hernandez and Maria Hernandez, granddaughter Nevaeh Hernandez, and grandson Christopher Hernandez. Survivors include daughters Christena Hernandez, Terri Burnett and Heather Puffinbarger; stepdaughter Nikki Walker; brothers Frank, Johnny, Bobby, Raymond and Charlie Hernandez; sisters Rosie Abrego, Mary Ragsdale, and Betty Hernandez; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Memorial donations may be made to the Childress Meals on Wheels.