Eleanor Heatley Thomas

Obituary For Eleanor Heatley Thomas

Eleanor Heatley Thomas passed away peacefully and went to be with the Lord on August 3, 2026, in Hephzibah, Georgia.

She was born on April 7, 1939 to the late Matthew and Julia Heatley Sr. in Arlington, Virginia.

Eleanor embraced the love of God and was baptized at an early age at the First Baptist Church in Arlington, Virginia.

Eleanor graduated from Hoffman-Boston High School where she sang in the school choir under the Leadership of Grammy Award Winning Singer/Songwriter Roberta Flack. She was employed by the Prince Georges County Police Department for 34 years until her retirement in 2004.

Eleanor’s Christian values continued throughout her life as she served faithfully and diligently at the First Baptist Church at its current location 3440 Minnesota Avenue SE Washington DC. She was active in music and church ministries and sang in choirs like: The Gospel Messengers, The Senior Choir, and the Women’s Choir. She also directed several choirs as well. Eleanor served faithfully on the Usher Board and Church Outreach putting together Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets and the Back-to School Drive.

Eleanor Heatley Thomas’s legacy will be cherished by her children, Cynthia Heatley Phillips and Ernest Kevin Thomas Sr.; grandchildren, Lakisha Danielle Heatley, Ernest Kevin Thomas Jr.(Amber), Jahmeel Gentry, Jaylen Gentry (Chelsea), Kristopher Thomas, Imani Newsome (Justus), and Khianna Thomas; great grandchildren, Derez Ezra Heatley, Thomas D. Heatley, Nyla Gentry, Selah Newsome, and Jaylen Gentry Jr.; great great grandchild Ava Heatley; and Brother, George Heatley. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends. Eleanor was preceeded in death by her daughter, India Thomas Gentry; daughter in law, Sonya Thomas; great granddaughter Aaryn Thomas; siblings, Ozela Jones, Matthew Heatley Jr, Jack Heatley, Robert Heatley, and sister-in-law Hester Heatley.

A Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Wednesday September 16, 2026 at First Baptist Church, 3440 Minnesota Ave SE, Washington, DC 20019. Repast immediately after Service.

Kinsey & Walton Funeral Home, 3618 Peach Orchard Road, Augusta, Georgia 30906 (706)790-8858.

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