Joe Thomas Todd was born on March 25, 1940, to Taylor and Ophelia Allen Todd in Stephens, Arkansas. Surrounded by the love of his family, he peacefully entered eternal rest on May 14, 2026, at Medical City Hospital in Lewisville, Texas.

Raised in Stephens, Joe was an excellent student and graduated with honors from Carver High School. After graduation, he attended Arkansas A.M. & N. College in Pine Bluff.  Joe paused his college pursuits when he volunteered for the United States Army during the height of the Vietnam War. He proudly served as an Army Medical Specialist (SP-4) until he was honorably discharged after 3 years. 

After returning home and resuming college, Joe met Virginia Marks, the woman who would become his lifelong love and partner. The two were married on February 8, 1969, after Virginia completed college. Together, they built a beautiful life centered on love, faith, family, and service.

After spending some time in Flint, Michigan, Joe and Virginia returned home to Magnolia, Arkansas. Determined to fulfill a promise he made to his late father-in-law, Mr. Willie Marks, Joe enrolled in mortuary school in Dallas, Texas. Upon completing his studies, he returned to Magnolia and began what would become a remarkable lifetime of service at Marks Funeral Home, Inc..

For more than fifty years, Joe served families with compassion, dignity, and genuine care. He believed deeply that funeral service was about helping people during life’s most difficult moments. In 1976, he courageously testified before the Federal Trade Commission in Atlanta, Georgia regarding funeral industry practices. He was the only funeral director to testify, advocating for fairness and transparency for families. His views were ahead of their time and reflected the compassion and integrity that guided his life and work.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Taylor and Ophelia Todd; his brothers, Chester Todd, James Todd, Alvin Todd, and Robert Todd; and his sisters, Delois Tooks, Alabama Todd, and Juanita Burris.

Left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife of fifty-seven years, Virginia Marks Todd; his daughters, Lynette Scott of Thonotosassa, Florida, Maya Todd (Damon Sims) of Garland, Texas, and Miyake Todd Lee (Lawrence) of Fort Worth, Texas; his adopted daughter, Vickie Berry (Billy) of Texarkana, Texas; his beloved granddaughters, Ana and Ava Lee; his great-nephew, Bryan Berry of Texarkana, Texas; his great-niece, Blair Berry of Texarkana, Texas; his brother, Early Todd of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and twin brother Jerry Todd of Dallas, Texas; his sister, Euradell Ward of Sherwood, Arkansas; his sister-in-law, Marilyn Armstrong of Conway, Arkansas; his best friends George and Gloetta Williams and Leon Kendricks; along with a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members, and countless friends whose lives were touched by his kindness and presence.

The family extends special thanks and heartfelt appreciation to Lisa Jones, Victor Morgan, Shaneka Crockett, and Gwen O’Guinn for their care, support, kindness, and unwavering presence during times when they were needed most. The family is also deeply grateful for the many phone calls, messages, cards, flowers, food, comfort, prayers, and countless acts of love and support shown during this difficult time.

Joe Thomas Todd will be remembered for his warm spirit, his steady presence, his amazing stories, and the love he gave so freely to his family, friends, and community. His legacy of service and compassion will continue to live on in all who were blessed to know him.