Walter E Thomas, Sr

Obituary For Walter E Thomas, Sr

Walter E. Thomas, Sr. (81) was born on July 16, 1940, the 7th of 10 children to the late Annie Lee Flournoy Thomas and Mack Thomas, Sr.; Bartow, Georgia. He transitioned from earth to glory on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at Jefferson County Hospital, Louisville, Georgia.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. at Faith Memorial C.M.E. Church with MASK AND SOCIAL DISTANCING. Interment will be held in Ebenezer Cemetery.

Public viewing will be held Friday, January 14, 2022 from 3:00 until 7:00.

Walter attended Jefferson County School System with highest grade completed was 11th grade. He was unable to complete high school; however his knowledge was impeccable. He worked on several hundred acres family farm until enlisting in the military. He enlisted into the United States Army with highest rank received was Specialist (E4) as a Heavy Artillery Infantryman; qualifications included Portable Flame Thower (Expert) and M-79 Grenade Launcher from October 1963 until October 1965; received HONORABLE discharged; Infantry duty stations included St. Louis, Missouri; Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Fort Hood, Texas; and Fort Bliss, Texas. He departs this life as an Army VETERAN. In October 1965, he started a career with Thermo King Incorporation, Louisville, Georgia. Some jobs held were Adjuster, Inspector, and Lead Air Conditioner Unit Tester. He received several awards for an outstanding employee, perfect attendance, including special recognition for working 12 hours days for three months straight without missing a day. In August 2002, he retired with 36-1/2 years of loyal and invaluable service. He had superb work ethics, which his legacy was instilled in his children.

He joined Ebenezer C.M.E. Church; Bartow, Georgia at an early age, which later merged with other C.M.E’s. churches and was renamed Faith Memorial C.M.E Church; Wadley, Georgia. He served in many capacities: Stewart, Trustee, Church building Program coordinator, who oversaw new building of Faith Memorial C.M.E Church. He loved attended church on a regular basis and supported neighboring churches until start of COVID-19. Walter served as Treasurer for Clark/Wicker/Hayles Family Reunions and in several capacities for Talley/Thomas Family Reunions. He was known as a man of few words; however, his FAITH, wisdom, smartness, and wealth of knowledge were recognized. Walter was a GREAT, STELLAR and RESPECTFUL man. He will be in our hearts forever. He departed this life loved and respected by many. “We are confident….. to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” II COR 5:8 (NKJV)

He dated Lonnie (Lottie) Mae Wicker for more than eight years before jumping the broom on August 6, 1968. Four (4) children were born unto this reunion. He enjoyed having gorgeous lawn, while his wife worked in her beautiful flower garden. He was known as being GREAT with numbers and solving problems. He was known as a HUMAN calculator, because he had already calculated total in his head, before cashier say amount due. He also was a MAP navigator expert, before there was Map Quest and GPS.

Lottie and Walter opened their home to many relatives and friends; who will never forget the hospitality and of course those infamous biscuits made by our mom. Both were inspirational and the rock of Clark/Wicker/Hayles and Talley/Thomas Family. They often stepped out wearing matching outfits. He wore PINK very well. He wore Steve Harvey’s suits along with matching sporty hats, cuff links, and shoes.

He is preceded in death of devoted wife of 52 years, 5 months: Lonnie (Lottie) Mae Wicker Thomas; oldest daughter: Connie Thomas; grandson: Calvin Young; great granddaughter: Amariyah Myers; 1st daughter-in-law: Joanne Samples Thomas; Siblings: Dessie Foster, Beatrice DeVaughn, Maxie Lee Thomas, Henry Albert Thomas, John Thomas, and Carrie Malanda Thomas

He leaves to cherish precious memories in the hearts of his children; daughter: Annette Thomas Young (Fort Worth, TX); two sons: Darryl B. (Kimberly) Thomas, Sr. (Jacksonville, NC); Walter E. (Sharon) Thomas, Jr. (Davisboro, GA); Grandchildren: Alicia (Johnny) Myers, IV (Keller, TX); Anthony Young (Auburn, WA); DeVonte’ (Gina) Young, Sr. (Hopkins, SC); DeSanto (Precious) Samples (Conyers, GA); Darryl B. Thomas, Jr. and MyEsha Thomas, both of Jacksonville, NC; Sharonica Thomas (Grovetown, GA); and Dominique Thomas (Louisville, GA): Step grandchildren: Faith Johnson; Shytianna Taylor, Shakirah Taylor, and Shaniqua Taylor (Trey) Pridgen, all of Jacksonville, NC: Great grandchildren: Jayla Myers, Jordyn Myers, and Jocelyn Myers (due June ’22), all of Keller, TX; Saniiyah Samples, Dominic Samples, and Alanna Samples, all of Conyers, GA; DeVonte’ Young, Jr. (Hopkins, SC): Step Great grandchildren: Madison Taylor, Mariah Taylor, Noah McGee, and Nevaeh Pridgen; all of Jacksonville, NC Sister: Annie Lois Thomas (Louisville, GA); Brothers: Freddie (Rose) Thomas (Bartow, GA); Mack Thomas, Jr. (Statesboro, GA); Sister-in-law: Mary (Peewee) Wicker Rolling (Davisboro, GA); brother-in-law: Louis Wicker (Davisboro, GA); God daughters: Barbara Tarver (Perry, GA); Cathy Minor and LaSonja Berry, both of Sandersville, GA; Theresa Gonder (Dublin, GA); Rose Carter, Shirley Mincey, and Debbie Kitchen, all of Davisboro, GA; Deborah Burns and Leticia Burns, both of Jacksonville, FL; Betty Sherrod, Shirley Jean Thomas, and Karen Thomas, all of Louisville, GA: God Granddaughter: Lisa Valles (Louisville, GA): God sons: Allen Thomas (Louisville, GA); Bernard Thomas (Bartow, GA); Alfred Thomas, Sr. (Wadley, GA); Robert Thomas (Swainsboro, GA;, Marion Thomas (Dublin, GA); Lewis Morgan, Jr.; (Pecos, TX) : He leaves hundreds of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends to mourn his death. :Family Friends: Virginia Brayboy and Inell McGruder both of Waynesboro, GA; Jackie Hampton, Carolyn Robinson, Kimberly Noel, Bernadette Monday, and Sherian Francis; all of Fort Worth, TX You may sign the guestbook at Davisfuneralhomega.com or join us on Facebook. Davis Funeral Home, 725 Beech Street is in charge of arrangements for Mr. Walter E. Thomas, Sr.