LULA – Rev. Jewell Dean Thomas, Sr., 78, passed away Tuesday, July 8, 2014, at his residence.
Born in Hall County, on February 8, 1936, he was the son of the late Solomon Thomas and Florence Loggins Thomas. Rev. Thomas was a retired meat inspector with the Georgia Department of Agriculture and was a United States Army veteran. He was a Master Mason at Lula Masonic Lodge for over 50 years. Rev. Thomas was an ordained minister and a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, where he served as pastor for several years. He also served as song leader and Sunday school teacher for numerous years.
Rev. Thomas enjoyed yard work, his chickens, keeping his pond stocked with fish, and having company over to swim in their pool. He was affectionately known by his family as “Posh” having been named this by his two grandchildren.
Rev. Thomas was preceded in death by a son, Jewell Dean Thomas, Jr.; brother and sister-in-law, Merlin and Louella Thomas; brothers, Roy, Wiley, Cline Thomas and Willie Faye Thomas; and brothers-in-law, Bill Sharpton and Denver Evans.
Survivors include his wife of over 51 years, Betty Jean Evans Thomas, Lula; daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Greg Boling, Homer; grandchildren, Megan and Daulton Boling, both of Homer; sister, Elease Sharpton, Cleveland; sisters-in-law, Winnie Thomas and Ruby Thomas, both of Lula, Reba and Garland Lewallen, Baldwin, Elora Stargel, Gainesville, and Ruth and Tim McCoy, Maysville; brother-in-law, Melvin and Emi Evans, Baldwin; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 4 p.m. Thursday, July 10, at the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart with the Revs. Drewery Loggins and Melvin Baugh officiating. Interment will follow in Westview Cemetery in Lula. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, and 2 p.m. until the service hour on Thursday, at the funeral home.
An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia is in charge of arrangements.