TAYLOR THOMAS

John Taylor Thomas, Sr., former resident of Donalsonville, GA, died late Monday night, January 9, 2012 at his home in Dothan, AL. He was 90. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 2:00 PM (CST) 3:00 PM (EST) in the chapel of Evans-Skipper Funeral Home, Donalsonville, GA with the Rev. Luther Hasty and Rev. Ronny Spillers officiating. Burial will follow in the Friendship Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service from 1:00 PM (CST) 2:00 PM (EST). Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the National Kidney Foundation. Mr. Thomas was born November 23, 1921 in Ozark, AL to the late Ross Henry Thomas, Sr. and Grace Mixon Thomas. He was a veteran of World War II and saw service in the South Pacific. It was there that he shared the same foxhole with his brother and made plans for a future partnership, Thomas 5-10 & $1.00 Stores. The store began in 1947 in Donalsonville, GA and operated in several locations until the last store was sold in 1982. Mr. Thomas was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Donalsonville, GA. Casketbearers will be Phil Moshell, Jimmy Fuqua, Roy Fuqua, Cade Thomas, Taylor Thomas, and Tyler Thomas. Honorary casketbearers will be John Hanna and Jack Burke. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ross Henry Thomas, Sr. and Grace Mixon Thomas; his brother, Ross H. Thomas, Jr. and his sister, Grace T. Brannon. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Helen Fuqua Thomas. Three sons, John Thomas and wife, Suzanne, of Albany GA; Jim Thomas and wife, Pam, of Dothan, AL; and Joe Thomas of Tuscaloosa, AL; Grandchildren, Merridith Thomas of Atlanta, GA, Melanie Thomas of Boston, MA, Lauren Thomas, Maribeth Thomas, Cade Thomas, Taylor Thomas of Dothan, AL, and Tyler Thomas of Tuscaloosa, AL. The family would like to express their love and appreciation to special friends, Drina Deese, Cindy Gunter, Brenda Jackson, Kaye Frith, Josephine Shipes, and Donna Taylor.