Joseph "Ty-Joe" Lee Thomas was born March 16, 1944 in Washington County to the late Robert and Allie Brown Thomas. He departed this life on October 12, 2012 at Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY.

He grew up in the "White Marsh" area of Roper, NC. He joined Second Zion Grove Baptist Church at an early age and attended Deep Bottom School in Plymouth, NC. He left home in 1972 and moved to Mt. Vernon, NY where he was a construction worker until his health failed.

He married Estelle Blount, who preceded him in death. Along with his parents, six siblings: Agnes Lyles, Alverta Young, Estelle Nicholson, Robert Thomas, Jr., Mary Lee Simmons, and Jimmy Thomas also preceded him in death.

Joseph leaves to cherish his loving memory four sisters: Evelyn Wynn (Herbert), Luberta Young-Roper, NC., Sadie White, Nancy Thomas- Plymouth, NC., dear friends- Joseph and Dorothy Camp- Mt. Vernon, NY., and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held 1:00PM Friday October 19, 2012 at Second Zion Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Hubert Judon officiating. Burial followed in Second Zion Grove Cemetery.