Joseph "J.E." Estill Thomas, Jr.

Mr. Joseph Estill “J.E” Thomas, Jr., age 83, of Patterson, passed away Tuesday afternoon (4/29/25) at the Hospice Satilla Hospice House following a brief illness.

Born August 15, 1941, in Waycross, he was a son of the late Joseph Estill Thomas, Sr. and Maude Conner Thomas. Living all his life in Pierce County, J.E. was a 1960 graduate of Blackshear High School. He was a longtime farmer and worked for 27 years at Rayonier in Jesup, retiring in 2005.  He also did taxidermy for several years.

A longtime member of Patterson Baptist Church, he attended the Grace Sunday School Class.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by all his siblings, Clovis Clark, Lannis Thomas, Larry Thomas, Jack Thomas, Ronald Thomas, And Donald Thomas.

Survivors include his three children, Angie Milton (husband Randy) of Blackshear, Joseph E. (Joey) Thomas III (wife Angie ) of Sharpsburg, GA, and Trisha Tillman of Blackshear; 8 grandchildren, Thomas Bennett (wife Jessica), Kenneth Bennett, Tristen King (husband Ryan), Austin Tillman, Kassie Milton, Kalyn Milton, Merigan Thomas, and Colton Thomas; 3 great grandchildren, Oliver Altman, Jackson Bennett, and Georgia Faye Bennett; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A funeral service will take place Saturday morning (5/3/25) at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Hart Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Blackshear City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday one hour prior to the service.

The family requests all members of the Patterson Baptist Church Grace Sunday School Class and the Blackshear High School Class of 1960 to serve as honorary pallbearers. Please arrive at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, Georgia 31501 or at www.hospicesatilla.com.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.

Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.

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