Josephine Thomas

Josephine Thomas, whom we affectionately called Aunt Joe was a loving and dependable Surrogate Mother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Great-Aunt, Cousin and Friend.
Josephine departed this life on Thursday, October 24, 2024. She was the youngest child of the late Wallace Thomas Sr. and Harriet Moses Thomas. Josephine was born on December 30, 1946, in Florence, South Carolina.
Josephine was raised and educated in Florence, South Carolina. She graduated from Wilson High School in 1964 and joined the United States Army where she proudly served her country. Afterwards, Josephine moved to Philadelphia where she resided with her eldest sister Mildred, while there she developed a close relationship with her nieces and nephews. While living in Philadelphia she worked at Misericordia Hospital and upon returning to Florence, she continued her career in the medical field retiring from the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs management team.
Josephine loved her family immensely! She dedicated herself to her mother and was her caretaker until her passing. She was a surrogate mother to her great-nephew Damian raising and nurturing him as if he were her own affectionately calling him Dame Boy. Damian recalls Aunt Joe watching her beloved sport Baseball, her favorite team was the Atlanta Braves. She also loved watching a good western; some of her favorites were The Virginia's, Big Valley, Gun Smoke, Raw Hide and Rifle Man and she was a fan of "In the heat of the night" the movie and the TV show.
Josephine was baptized at and a lifelong member of New Ebenezer Baptist Church. She will be remembered most for her service; she served her family, her country, and served her community with pride. Josephine was also devoted to the American Legion as well as the VFW for many years offering her devotion and service to uplift the community that she loved and held dear to her heart.
Josephine was preceded in death by her parents Wallace Thomas Sr. and Harriet Moses Thomas, Sisters: Sarah Mildred Pearson, Alma Chapman "Sister" and Edna Mae Thomas "Snookie"; Brothers: Tolan Thomas "The Marshall", Wallace Thomas Jr "Markin" and Lucas Wallce Thomas "LW"; Nieces: Deborah Ann Moses-McFadden, Jeannie Thomas Weeks "Patty Girl", Gwen Lorraine Kirven-Quick and Priscilla Thomas "Little Mama"; Nephews: Larry Exum, Garnell Kirven and Arion Kirven Sr; Godson Wallace Thomas Moses Sr.
Josephine leaves to cherish her memory her Son: Damian Kirven, her Sister: Margaret Kirven (Archie), Nephews: Ronnie Thomas (Joycee), David Exum, Aaron Thomas; Nieces: Lori Exum-Thompson, Yvonne Scott and a host of great nieces (Lillie Belle, Nikki, Michelle, Kriston, Shannae, Lauren, Nicole, Nikiah, Ciarra, Melody, Tasha & Autumn) and great-nephews (James, Aaron, James, Jerome, Isaiah, Isaac, Jeremiah, Shawn, Lewis, Leon, Larry, Anthony, David II, Arion Jr. and Josh), Great-Great Nieces and Great-Great Nephews, and one Great-Great-Great Nephew, a host of other relatives and friends.
Please keep the Thomas family in your thoughts and prayers during their time of bereavement.
Arrangements are entrusted to Ideal Funeral Parlor, Inc.
Memorials and Condolences may be mailed to Ideal Funeral Parlor, Inc. 106 E. Darlington Street, Florence, SC 29506 or you may visit www.idealfuneral.com to leave a message for the family.