Obituary of Joan Z. Tisby

Joan went home to be with the Lord on October 19, 2025. She was 83 years old. Joan was the married to (Wallace Tisby), daughter of predeceased parents Thomas Craig and Lucille Pratt. She resided in Williamstown. Joan grew up in Camden and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1959. After high school she lived in Camden until 1995 and then moved to Williamstown with her son Calvin. Joan's interest in Social Work led her to Camden County College graduating with an Associate degree. She worked for the state as a Case Worker, Notary, and Investigator for Camden County Board of Social Services for 30 years. She was also appointed to the City Child Abuse Board. Joan loved baking bread and pies that she learned from her grandmother Florence Evelyne Brooks Pratt (Alfred Pratt). She loved football and twirling the Paton as an Elks Lodge former majorette and marching group member. She enjoyed dining at IHOP, Red Lobster, Kentucky Fried Chicken and traveling to the Bahama Islands, Atlantic City, and Las Vegas. She worshipped in the Catholic faith while attending St. Bartholomew Catholic School and Church and later attended Mount Calvary Baptist Church. Joan's social services orientation contributed to her empathetic spirit and service to the community. She loved her children, grandchildren and other families in the local community served and legally advocated for them to ensure their rights were protected and volunteered for the PTA (Parent and Teachers Association) of Camden High School while working concessions at football games to fundraise for the team. She invested in government bonds to contribute to education and future success of her children and grandchildren. Joan is survived by her twin sister Joyce E. Craig Carter (Richard Carter), sister Elaine Craig, brother Arnold Craig, and her children Dr. Wanda Tisby-Cousar (Ron Cousar) and Calvin Smith, nephews Corey Craig and Ritchie Carter, niece Althea Saunders, grandchildren Jelisa Smith, Shomari N. Cousar, Evan Smith, and great grandson Berko Cousar, She is predeceased by grandparents Florence Brooks Pratt (Alfred Pratt). parents Thomas Craig and Lucille Pratt, sister Alfretta Pratt Saunders (Lewis "Sonny" Saunders), her husband Wallace L. Tisby, son Henry E. Brown, granddaughter Imani D. Cousar, and nephews Lloyd Carter, Lamont and Michael Saunders. Joan survived cousins of the Pratt, Brooks, Craig, Smith, Brown and in-laws of the Cousar, Fleming, and Davis families. Her special friends were Cherita Ford, Jackie Love, Wanda Love, Joan Langston, Ruby Anthony, and Buddy Harris.