Eldest Son of SAMUEL JOSEPH the Son of ELIZABETH the Youngest Daughter of REV.J.JOSHUA

Joshua       Elizabeth      Samuel Joseph Joseph Karunakaran     611 Joseph Karunakaran D. 6111  Ranjan Daniel Samuel   612 Rachel Elizabeth Ramanibai 6121 Vanitha Catherine     6122 Nirmal Thasiah     6123 Ranjit Samuel     6124 Chitra   613 Jacob Jeyakaran 6131 Subashini Stella     6132 Gerold Joshua   614 Prabakaran Johnrose 6141 Shamini     6142 Shanthini	Joseph Karunakaran is the eldest son of Mr.J.D.Samuel, a grand son of Rev.J.Joshua the second native Pastor of NAGERCOIL Home Church for twentytwo years, and Mrs.Paulnesam Samuel.  He was born on 20th December, 1933 at Tharavilai and was brought up in the family house “Kovai Vilas” at NAGERCOIL.  He was very mischievous during his boyhood days and so his aunty called him ‘Jumbu’ and this name stuck to him even when he was grown up.               He had his early education in Scott Christian High School and Scott Christian College, NAGERCOIL.  He took his B.Sc. Degree in Zoology from Alagappa College, Karaikudi in 1955 and worked as a School teacher in P.K.P.High School, Colachel and Kayal-Neri High School at Arumuganeri.  After his marriage in 1957, he took his M.Sc.Degree from Banares Hindu University, Varanasi.  He joined Virudhunagar Hindu Nadars’ Senthikumara Nadar College, Virudhunagar as Lecturer in Zoology in 1959.  From 1964 till his retirement he worked as Head of the Department of Zoology in the same Institution.  He was appointed Principal of the College in 1982 but he resigned the post, after serving for one year, due to differences with the management.               After retirement in 1992, he settled in NAGERCOIL.  He has a sense of humour and often makes witty remarks while conversing with others.  He is honest sincere and fair in all his dealings.  He has taken keen interest in the activities of Rev.J.Joshua Family Association since its inception.  Now he is the President of the Association.               Retnavathy his wife is the youngest daughter of Mr.G.N.Daniel and Mrs.Mary Daniel.  She was born on 2nd December, 1937, in a family with strong religious background.  Her paternal grandfather Mr.Nallathambi donated his own land for construction of the Church and the School in Vairakudy and also worked as a Church worker in that Church.  Her maternal grandfather was Rev.V.Solomon who served as Pastor in Agasteeswaram, Thamaraikulam, Mugilankudi, Punnaiadi and NAGERCOIL.               Retnavathy’s mother Mrs.Mary Daniel, was a very pious and religious lady and she brought up her daughter in an atmosphere of prayer and devotion to God.  Even during her school days she used to conduct Sunday School for the children around her house.  Her faith in God became stronger at Virudhunagar due to her association with some ardent believers.  Every Sunday, accompanied by some friends, she would visit villages around Virudhunagar for conducting prayer meetings for small gatherings.  People wanted her to go to their houses and pray for them and she obliged them most willingly.  Her prayers are so strong and effective that she once brought her husband back to life from the brink of death.               Her good work continues even after coming to NAGERCOIL.  She has made it a point to visit, along with friends and relatives, Children’s’ Homes and Old Age Homes and provide the inmates with food and make them feel happy.  She was the driving force behind the formation of G.N.Daniel - Mary Daniel Trust.  This trust now sponsors four missionaries who are working in North India.  During Christmas time she collects clothes from friends and relatives and sends them to the missionaries to be distributed to the poor and needy.  Every Tuesday a wing of Home Church Women’s’ Fellowship conducts prayer meeting in her house.  In addition she is working as a teacher in the Sunday School held in Scott Christian Higher Secondary School.  Along with other Sunday School Teachers she visits old and sick people and prays for them.               She has a charitable disposition and she never turns away anyone who comes to her for help.  By nature she is very jovial and sprightly and makes people around her happy.               Mr.Karunakaran and Mrs.Retnavathy Karunakaran are blessed with a son Ranjan Samuel, a daughter-in-law Mallika and a grandson Samuel Shalom.