Obituary of Joseph Lister Thomas

Joseph Lister Thomas, 80, of Mebane, North Carolina passed away on April 6, 2022 at Alamance Regional Medical Center. Joe was born in Norfolk, Virginia on February 25, 1942 to the late Ralph Bernard Thomas and Laura Elizabeth Thomas, both deceased. Joe was an extremely loving husband, father, paw-paw, grandpa, godfather and always a loyal friend his entire life. Starting his working career young as a shoe shine boy at the local YMCA, construction work, running a printing press at Teagle & Little then onto a traveling ink salesman before he cofounded Monarch Color Corporation retiring in 1996. He then started Mebane Transport for a few years. Joes passions were woodworking, fishing, golfing and mostly the beach and lake life with his family and friends. Many Mebane families vacationed together for many years camping, boating, fishing with Joe being one of the “Captains” making sure everyone was enjoying life and having a great time. Joe was very generous to support many charities near and far. He was an active longtime member of Mebane United Methodist Church and a proud lifetime member of Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina and the North Carolina Zoological Society. Joe was highly admired by so many over the years acting as a mentor and friend to everyone.

Joe leaves behind three children, Holly Thomas of Mebane, North Carolina, Terri Thomas Keys of Orange Park, Florida and Ryan Thomas of Petersburg, Virginia; grandchildren, Henry Thomas Keys, Mary Grace Thomas, Hannah Thomas, Ellen Thomas and Adelia Thomas and also his godchildren, Heather Mayton Delgato, Bridget Mayton, Makenzie Mayton; two sisters, Mary Lee Howlett of Norfolk, Virginia and Suzie Zeihen of Bristol, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his wife, Christine Thomas and a daughter, Dana Christine Thomas; one brother, Robert Thomas and a sister, Betty Rae Edmundson.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 4:00pm at Walker’s Funeral Home in Mebane, with the family receiving friends following the service and Joe will be laid to rest in Virginia beside his loving wife and daughter at a later date.

Walker's Funeral Home of Mebane is serving the Thomas Family.