S. J. Thomas

S. J. Thomas

Funeral Services for Mr. S. J. Thomas, 93, of Miami, Florida, will be held on Sunday, November 2, 2014 at 2:00 PM at the C.D. Dudley Memorial Chapel at the Dudley Funeral Home in Dublin. Reverend Charlie Robinson will officiate. Burial will follow in the Dudley Memorial Cemetery.

Mr. Thomas was born on September 13, 1921, in Dublin to the late Joseph Plummer and Anna Lee Thomas. He was raised in Dublin and relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1944. On October 24th, God's will was done and Mr. Thomas transitioned from this life to his heavenly home.

He married Anna Bell Hudson who preceded him in passing. He later married Odessa Kellam.

Mr. Thomas was a hard working, strong willed, determined, man. He had a career in truck driving and mechanics. He learned to drive and repair automobiles at an early age. He later acquired his own successful trucking business. In 2009, at the age of 89 he closed his business, packed up a u-haul and drove from Cleveland to sunny South Florida and lived there until his passing.

At the blessed age of 93, his mind was still sharp and he was fully functional. He drove his van, took the tote to the curb, prepared meals, and drove himself to the barbershop where he would share life stories with patrons and barbers. In addition to being fully functional, he was a devoted husband, friend, and companion to his wife Odessa who he affectionately called "Sweetie".

He was very wise, multi-talented, knowledgeable, and a master of all trades. He had a calm spirit and always had a story to tell you about life. He also had his own terminology for many things; he called alcohol "ignant oil", pig ears "listeners", black eyed peas "thangs with dem shades on 'em" and he gave everybody a nick name. He loved to dress, smell good and wear his caps and suspenders.

Mr. Thomas is preceded in death by children, James Latimore, Annie Lee Raines, Luther Thomas, William Thomas; sisters, Carey Brenham, Eldora Phillips; brothers, Frank Thomas, Mitchell Thomas and Charley Thomas.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. His memories will forever live on in his wife, Odessa Kellam Thomas; his children, Yancey (Patricia) Thomas, Willie Mae Kellam, Milton Thomas, Russell Frasier, and Lawrence Thomas; sister, Dora Stewart; brother –in- law, Peter Brenham; 27 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at 524 Smith Street, Dublin.

Services by Dudley Funeral Home of Dublin.
Please post condolences at www.ServicesByDudley.com.