Joe Edward Best, 87, of Milam passed away Thursday, Sep. 14 at CHI St. Luke’s Hospital in Lufkin. Joe was born to James Fletcher Best & Juanita Best on May 20, 1936 in Holly Fork, a community out of Colmesneil. Visitation was held Monday, Sep. 18 from 11:30 a.m. until service time at 1 p.m. at Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home Chapel in Woodville. Burial followed at Magnolia Cemetery in Woodville. Officiating was done by Michele Hunt Flores. Randall Best, Brock Poole, Zack Poole, Justin Hunt, Rodney Paulette, and Johnnie Dunn served as pallbearers with Bryan Zbylot as honorary.

A native of Tyler County, Joe was a former resident of the Groves. He lived on Lake Toledo Bend near Milam for the past 30 years. A graduate of Kirby High School in Woodville, he retired after many years in the paint and body business. He was a 32-degree mason. He enjoyed fishing, maintaining Best Park and going to Mexico.

He was preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Gwendolyn Best; parents, James Fletcher Best and Juanita Best; and daughter, Sandra Jo Heller.

He is survived by his son, Randall Best of Milam, Texas; sister-in-law, Wanda Hunt of Etoile, Texas; brother, Reverend James Best of Thomasville, Alabama; sister, Annie Elise Combs of Beaumont; grandchildren, Brock Douglas Poole and Zachary Joseph Poole; great grandchild, Robert Poole; numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to Hospice in the Pines: 1504 W. Frank Avenue, Lufkin, TX 75904.Services are under the direction of Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home in Woodville.