Joe Lewis Thomas Sr.

Joe Lewis Thomas Sr. ABBEVILLE -- Joe Lewis Thomas Sr., affectionately known as "Lewis" by his family, was born on October 3, 1942 in Abbeville, SC. He peacefully departed this life and went home to be with the Lord during the early morning hours on Thursday, May 19, 2016, at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood SC. Joe Thomas Sr. was the oldest of nine children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Ruby Thomas and daughter Angela Thomas. Joe retired from Abbeville School Bus Service Shop, after serving over 30 years. He was a mechanic at his home for years. He was a guitarist for many different groups. Joe accepted Christ as his personal Savior as a teenager. He was a member of Shady Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church and often played for Shady Grove Male Chorus. He was married to Evangelist Bessie L. Thomas for 55 years and to this union was born four children. They served the Lord, side-by-side. He leaves to cherish his most fond memories: his loving wife, Evangelist Bessie L. Thomas of the home; three sons, Joe (Mal Jean), Marvin, and Kenneth (Nicolette) Thomas, all of Abbeville, SC; three grandsons, Traejon, Kenneth Jr., and Tymon Thomas; five sisters, Lucy Jefferson and Polly Moore of Honea Path, SC, Maggie McDonald and Ruby Jackson of Anderson, SC, and Evangelist Leona Paul of Level Land, SC; three brothers; William of Long Island, NY, David of Anderson, SC, and Jessie of Honea Path, SC; six sisters-in-law and eight brothers-in-law; as well as a host of nieces, nephew, cousins, and friends that will miss him dearly. Services for Mr. Thomas will be Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 1 p.m. at Shady Grove AME Church in Abbeville, SC. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Public viewing will be Saturday. May 21, 2016 at the mortuary. Online condolences can be sent to the family by emailing us at awmort62@yahoo.com. The family is at the home, 1037 Haigler Street, Abbeville, SC. Professional services by The Abbeville- White Mortuary Inc.


This obituary was originally published in The Index-Journal (Greenwood, SC).