Joe Rex Thames

New Bern, NC: Mr. Joe Rex Thames, age 76 passed away on November 16, 2023 at Barbour Court Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Smithfield surrounded by his loving family. Memorial Services will be 2:00PM Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at the Rose & Graham Funeral Home Chapel in Four Oaks. Rev. Mike Eubanks will officiate.

Mr. Thames was born on June 20, 1947 in Texas to the late Joe Bailey and Dorothy Leslie Thames. He was preceded in death by brother, Neal Thames. He retired from Texas Tech University where he served in the Mechanical Department. Mr. Thames handcrafted crosses that he shared as a personal ministry to all who met him. He enjoyed playing the banjo and bass guitar with his country western band and church. Mr. Thames told the greatest stories and lived life to the fullest.

Surviving are his wife, Kitty Conner of New Bern; daughter, Marci Thames Sauls and husband, Steven of Selma; son, Tod Thames and wife, Melissa of Clayton; grandchildren, Alexandria Thames, Chandler Thames, Caleb Thames, and Alexandria Sauls; brother, Mike Thames and wife, Patricia of Lubbock, TX; sister, Marianne Hancock and husband, Craig of Lubbock, TX; several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends immediately following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Alzheimer’s Association, 5171 Glenwood Ave., Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27615.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.roseandgraham.com.

The family appreciates your thoughts and prayers.

Arrangements by Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Four Oaks, NC.