Joyce Pipkin Thomas, born in Indianapolis, Indiana and was raised in Gamaliel, KY by her father, Henry Pipkin's family. She attended Lincoln Institute/KY and KY State University. She receved her M.Ed from the University Of Louisville. She is a retired Business Education Teacher living in Louisville, KY. She is a member of Third Central United Christian Church and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She was married to the late Donald Thomas and has two adult children: Donna Prevott and Donald L. Thomas, II. and ten grandchildren and five greatgrand children.