Local business leader Joseph Lawton “Joe” Youmans called himself just an “average Joe” — but he is remembered this week as so much more than that.
Youmans, 45, of Blackshear, passed away Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick.
Youmans had numerous business interests in Pierce County and the surrounding area, including owning Anytime Fitness on Main Street, Blackshear and Average Joe’s Pawn Shop, Average Joe’s Car Wash and Dealz Outlet, all on U.S. Highway 84, Blackshear. He also owned Anytime Fitness in Alma.
Family and friends are left trying to cope with the sudden loss of someone who “had a big heart and always tried to help others when they needed it.”
Youmans’ cousin, Blackshear Police Captain Terri Tuten recalls there “was nothing average about Joe Youmans.
“Joe had a larger-thanlife personality. He was loud. He was funny. He was so tenderhearted,” Tuten recalls.
Tuten says the “tenderhearted side” was something Youmans did not broadcast and did not want recognition for, but she says he gave of himself very generously.
“So many people have reached out and every single person speaks of Joe’s heart, Joe’s caring ways and Joe’s generosity,” she said. “I keep being contacted by people that Joe helped. Joe never bragged or told a soul about who he helped in any way. Every time I turned around, he’d ask if he could help with “Shop with a Cop” or the women’s shelter or any other thing he could think of. He never wanted recognition. Joe loved wheeling and dealing but he was private in his generosity.”
Frankie Moran, a former Blackshear Police Officer and Youmans’ family member, says Youmans knew the key to success and it wasn’t money.
“I went to Average Joe’s Pawn and Gun to get some tools for another “get rich quick idea I had,” Moran said. “I told him I wanted to be successful just like him.”
Moran relates Youmans told him to sit down on a stool and gave him boiled peanuts so he would be eating and occupying his mouth, so he would listen to his advice.
“He said money was only a tool to buy time with family. He said time with my family was the key to happiness. I just needed to start living and enjoying family time and live the life God gave me.”
Morgan said he has never forgotten that advice.
“Everyone Joe interacted with was better for it. He was a good man who lifted people up in a world full of men that would rather see you fail so they can capitalize.”
Jamie Allen Roberts recalls Youmans was best man at her wedding to her husband, Justin. Justin Roberts and Youmans were best friends — like brothers.
“Joe had a unique gift for forming connections, and as a result, everyone could share a multitude of stories about him, as he never encountered someone he couldn't befriend. He was a sweet talker with a talent for being a wheeler-dealer and a fighter who fought for what he had and who he loved.”
Roberts recalls a time when Youmans helped buy Christmas for the entire family of one of the students of Blackshear Elementary.
“I've texted him and Penny countless times to ask for something for the kids at BES, and he never wanted anything in return. At Christmas one year, their family helped buy presents for a family at BES. He made sure to tell his elves that the shoes better not be cat heads. A few months later, that student passed away. If it wasn’t for them buying for this family they may not had anything for their last Christmas together.”
Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. Saturday, August 24, from the First Baptist Church of Blackshear.
For a full obituary, please see page 3.
