James Elbert “Jim” Thomas, 86, of Union Grove, the Pine Ridge Community of Morgan County, passed from this life to his Heavenly Home on Wednesday, November 5, 2014, at Marshall County Hospice, Shepherd’s Cove in Albertville, surrounded with love by his family and close friends.
He leaves his loving and faithful wife of 43 years, Linnie Terry Thomas; four daughters, Janet Thomas Greenlee (Steven), Jada Thomas Douglas (Joseph), Lisa Thomas Mayo (Robert) and Sharon Fields Fahrer (David); a son, Malcolm Gary Fields (Mary Jo); nine grandchildren, Todd Greenlee (Michelle), Matthew Greenlee (Amanda), Jill Greenlee Freeman (Russ), Autumn Lawrence Borden (Jason), Jeremy Lawrence (Jennifer), Julie Lawrence Livingston (Stan), Thomas Robert Mayo, Zack Fields and Grady Fields; ten great grandchildren, Evey, Graeme and Liam Greenlee, Brickston Levi Freeman, Bronwyn Borden, Mollie, Mason and McCoy Lawrence and Lily and Hank Livingston. Other survivors include his “son”, Steve Lawrence and devoted and loving caretakers, Robin McKay, Tonia Hill and David Vest as well as a host of extended family and friends.
He was born and raised in the Pine Ridge Community of Morgan County, which he made his lifelong residence. He was preceded in death by his parents; John E. and Bernice Pritchard Thomas; and two brothers, Ronald and Donald Thomas.
Mr. Thomas had a passion for singing and was a member of the Pine Ridge Boys Southern Gospel Quartet and had a beautiful baritone singing voice. Other passions included his love of farming and trucking.
He graduated from Union Hill High School in 1947, where he enjoyed playing basketball and baseball. Before beginning a 38 year career at Thiokol Corporation, he was a school bus driver for the Morgan County School system.
Other part time professions included barbering, floral design, trucking and farming. He not only took pride in his business life, but truly relished and enjoyed the friends he made during his time in business. He loved life, people and he never met a stranger.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. today, November 8, 2014, at Pine Ridge Baptist Church, with Brother Eldridge Criscoe and Brother Kenneth Smith, officiating. Burial will be in the Pine Ridge Cemetery, Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel, directing.
Pallbearers will be Jason Borden, Zack Fields, Russell Freeman, Matthew Greenlee, Todd Greenlee, Jeremy Lawrence, Stanley Livingston and Thomas Mayo.
Honorary pallbearers will be Grady Fields, Steve Lawrence and Richard Parker.
Visitation was 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, November 7, 2014, at Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel. The body will be placed at the Church from 10 to 11 a.m. on the day of the service.
