Josiah Edward DeWitte of Nashville, Tennessee, died on September 27, 2026, at the age of 23. His family remembers him as a young man with a strong Christian faith, a remarkable intellect, a gentle personality and a gift for making people feel loved.
Born May 1, 2003, Josiah grew up surrounded by family and developed an early interest in learning, technology, languages and a wide range of subjects. His obituary also describes a young man who enjoyed time with his siblings and cousins, outdoor activities, movies, skiing, games and worship music.
His family will gather with friends and members of the community on October 3, 2026, for visitation and a celebration of his life and faith at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Nashville.
Who Was Josiah Edward DeWitte?
Josiah Edward DeWitte was a 23-year-old Nashville resident whose life was marked by his Christian faith, curiosity and close relationships with his family.
His obituary describes him as having a brilliant mind and a gentle nature. From an early age, he demonstrated an unusual ability to learn, speak and remember information. His family said he could speak in full sentences as a toddler and was endlessly curious about the world around him.
Technology became one of his particular interests. He enjoyed understanding how things worked and had an ability to grasp complex concepts and explain them in simple terms.
Latest Update: October 1, 2026
As of October 1, 2026, Josiah Edward DeWitte’s death is confirmed by his published obituary.
Woodbine Funeral Home – Hickory Chapel published his obituary on September 30, 2026. The notice states that Josiah died September 27 at age 23.
The obituary does not state a specific cause of death. No cause has therefore been included in this article.
His celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Nashville. Visitation will take place from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., followed by the celebration at 11:30 a.m.
Early Life and Family
Josiah was born May 1, 2003. He was the son of Dione and Justin DeWitte, who survive him.
He was also survived by his siblings Dana Jane, Millie Dean and Hudson. His grandparents included Dorothy Warren and Raymond DeWitte.
His extended family included the Llewellyns, Claytons and Curtises. His cousins affectionately called him “Jojo,” a nickname that reflected the close relationships he developed with members of his extended family.
Josiah was preceded in death by his grandfather Jim Warren and his grandmother Jerri DeWitte, whom the obituary refers to as Mimi.
Josiah’s Christian Faith
Faith was one of the most important parts of Josiah’s life.
According to his obituary, he began reading and memorizing Bible stories and verses at a young age. He was baptized as a young man and chose to be baptized again in 2025 as a reaffirmation of his Christian commitment.
His faith remained an active part of his life during his final days. The obituary says that as recently as the week before his death, Josiah attended a Christian revival worship and prayer service with his cousins at the Ryman in Nashville.
His family described him as someone who walked with God and remained steadfast in his faith. His obituary frames his death through that Christian belief, emphasizing the family’s hope of seeing him again.
A Remarkable Mind and Love of Learning
Josiah’s intellectual ability is a major part of the story told by his family.
His obituary says he could speak in complete sentences as a toddler and showed an intense curiosity about many subjects. Rather than limiting himself to one area, he enjoyed learning about a broad range of topics.
Technology was particularly interesting to him. He was able to understand complex ideas and then explain those ideas in ways that made them easier for other people to understand.
He also taught himself to speak Spanish fluently, demonstrating both his interest in language and his ability to learn independently.
Education
Josiah graduated from Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville. He later attended Auburn University.
The obituary does not provide a specific degree, major or graduation date from Auburn University, so those details should not be assumed.
His education was part of a broader pattern of intellectual curiosity that began during childhood. His family remembered him as someone who was always interested in learning and understanding new subjects.
Work and Summer Experiences
During his summers, Josiah gained experience in several different environments.
He worked on a landscaping crew, giving him hands-on experience outdoors. He also interned at Graham Healthcare Capital, where he gained exposure to a professional business environment.
Another important summer experience came through JH Ranch, where he worked on staff.
These experiences gave him opportunities to work with different people and develop skills outside the classroom. At 23, he was still early in his professional life, so his obituary focuses more heavily on his character, faith, family and intellectual interests than on a long career history.
Personality and Character
Family members remembered Josiah for his gentle nature and warm personality.
His obituary says he had a beautiful smile that could light up a room. He was also described as fun and as someone who had a gift for making other people feel loved.
He maintained close friendships with his cousins. Some of their favorite memories involved beach vacations, camping trips and long nights playing Monopoly or Risk before getting burgers at The Cookout.
Those ordinary experiences became meaningful memories for the people who knew him. His obituary emphasizes not only his academic ability but also the joy he brought into family relationships.
Hobbies and Favorite Activities
Josiah enjoyed a wide range of activities.
He listened to worship music, watched movies and enjoyed skiing. He also liked playing The Escape Games and spending time with his cousins and siblings.
Food was another source of enjoyment, with spicy buffalo chicken specifically mentioned among his favorites.
His family also remembered his habit of giving people nicknames. He paid attention to birthdays and often gave thoughtful gifts to the people he cared about.
These small actions became part of how family members remembered him: thoughtful, playful and attentive to the people around him.
His Relationships With His Siblings and Cousins
Josiah’s obituary places particular emphasis on his relationships with family members.
His siblings Dana Jane, Millie Dean and Hudson survive him. He also maintained close connections with his cousins, who gave him the affectionate nickname “Jojo.”
Family vacations, camping trips and games were among the experiences that brought them together. These memories now form part of the family’s remembrance of Josiah.
His habit of remembering birthdays and giving thoughtful gifts also showed the personal attention he gave to people he loved.
Cause of Death
The published obituary confirms that Josiah Edward DeWitte died on September 27, 2026, at age 23. It does not state a cause of death.
No specific illness, accident or other circumstance should therefore be attached to his death unless his family or an authoritative source later provides that information.
Funeral and Celebration of Life
A celebration of Josiah’s life and faith is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Nashville.
Visitation will take place from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., with the celebration of life beginning at 11:30 a.m.
The church is located at 33 Burton Hills Boulevard, Nashville, Tennessee 37215. Woodbine Funeral Home – Hickory Chapel is providing the funeral services.
Quick Facts About Josiah Edward DeWitte
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Josiah Edward DeWitte |
| Born | May 1, 2003 |
| Died | September 27, 2026 |
| Age | 23 |
| Residence | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Parents | Dione and Justin DeWitte |
| Siblings | Dana Jane, Millie Dean and Hudson |
| Grandparents | Dorothy Warren and Raymond DeWitte |
| Education | Montgomery Bell Academy; Auburn University |
| Faith | Christian |
| Interests | Technology, languages, worship music, movies, skiing, games and family activities |
| Cause of Death | Not stated in the obituary |
| Visitation | October 3, 2026, 10:00–11:30 a.m. |
| Celebration of Life | October 3, 2026, 11:30 a.m. |
| Location | Covenant Presbyterian Church, Nashville, Tennessee |
| Funeral Home | Woodbine Funeral Home – Hickory Chapel |
Reader Questions
Who was Josiah Edward DeWitte?
Josiah Edward DeWitte was a 23-year-old Nashville man remembered for his Christian faith, intellect, gentle nature and close relationships with family and friends.
When did Josiah Edward DeWitte die?
Josiah died on September 27, 2026. He was 23 years old.
How old was Josiah Edward DeWitte?
He was 23. He was born May 1, 2003.
Where was Josiah Edward DeWitte from?
His obituary identifies Nashville, Tennessee, as his home. His life and education were closely connected to the Nashville community.
Who were Josiah Edward DeWitte’s parents?
His parents were Dione and Justin DeWitte. They survive him.
Did Josiah Edward DeWitte have siblings?
Yes. His siblings were Dana Jane, Millie Dean and Hudson.
What school did Josiah Edward DeWitte attend?
Josiah graduated from Montgomery Bell Academy and attended Auburn University. The obituary does not specify his Auburn degree or major.
Was Josiah Edward DeWitte religious?
Yes. His obituary describes a strong Christian faith and says he was baptized and later chose to be baptized again in 2025 to reaffirm his commitment to Jesus.
What did Josiah Edward DeWitte do for work?
During his summers, Josiah worked on a landscaping crew, interned at Graham Healthcare Capital and worked on staff at JH Ranch. The obituary does not describe a long-term full-time career.
What were Josiah Edward DeWitte’s hobbies?
He enjoyed worship music, movies, skiing, The Escape Games and spending time with family. He was also particularly interested in technology and languages.
Did Josiah Edward DeWitte speak Spanish?
Yes. His obituary says he taught himself to speak Spanish fluently. It presents this as an example of his strong ability to learn independently.
What was Josiah DeWitte’s cause of death?
The published obituary does not provide a cause of death. No specific cause should be assumed without additional confirmation from the family or authorities.
When is Josiah Edward DeWitte’s celebration of life?
The celebration of life is scheduled for October 3, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Nashville, following visitation from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Where will Josiah Edward DeWitte’s service be held?
The service will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 33 Burton Hills Boulevard, Nashville, Tennessee.
Which funeral home is handling Josiah Edward DeWitte’s arrangements?
Woodbine Funeral Home – Hickory Chapel is providing the funeral services.
Wrap-Up
Josiah Edward DeWitte’s obituary portrays a young man remembered for much more than his age at death. His family describes someone who combined a remarkable intellectual curiosity with a gentle personality, strong Christian faith and a deep interest in the people around him.
His ability to learn languages, understand technology and explore new subjects was matched by a playful side that appeared in family vacations, camping trips, board games, skiing and shared meals. His thoughtful birthday messages, gifts and nicknames also became meaningful parts of the memories left behind by his siblings and cousins.
Josiah died on September 27, 2026, at 23. His family and friends will gather at Covenant Presbyterian Church on October 3 to celebrate his life and faith. His published obituary leaves a portrait of someone whose influence was felt most strongly through the people closest to him.
Disclaimer: This obituary is based on the published obituary from Woodbine Funeral Home – Hickory Chapel and corroborating obituary listings. The published notice does not state Josiah Edward DeWitte’s cause of death, so no cause has been inferred. Funeral details should be confirmed with the funeral home if circumstances change.
