Eva M. Thomas, 83, went to be with the Lord in the morning on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 in Valley Healthcare in Chilhowie, VA.
Eva was born March 24, 1938 and grew up in Saltville, VA where she attended church and was baptized. She married the love of her life, Paul Edward "Bud" Thomas in May of 1947 and moved to Washington County where she lived married to him for 31 years until he passed away in 1978. She was primarily a homemaker who would care for children in her home or do various jobs for people, which could include bottoming chairs or sharpening shears. She was a "salt of the earth" woman who loved animals, gardening, fishing, cutting wood, cooking and canning. She would make jams and jellies and her famous beans and cornbread. Anyone who came to her home was always fed and never left hungry. She was "Granny" to everybody, patient and kind; a woman who believed in rising early, cooking biscuits and gravy, working hard all day and going to bed early. For several years, she had also dedicated herself to caring for her own mother during her illness.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her father, Weaver Vencill; her mother, Mary Alice Vencill Dye; step father, Thomas Edward Dye; son, Martin David Thomas; brother, Coy "Cokie" Vencill and his wife, Ramona "Monie" Vencill; and three step brothers, Robert Vadden Dye, Clarence H. Dye and Alvie E. Dye.
Survivors include her daughter-in-law, Sharon Thomas of Abingdon; granddaughter, Scarlet Gosnell and husband, Neal of Abingdon; great grandchildren, Hallie and Kayla Gosnell; brothers, James Vencill and wife, Joyce of Dundock, MD and Claude Vencill of Abingdon; step brothers, Fred Dye of Glade Spring, VA, V.T. Dye of Saltville and Thomas Edward "Junior" Dye, Jr. of Glen Burnie, MD; one she thought of as a grandson, Jared Bishop of Abingdon; two nieces; one nephew; special caregivers, Betty Surber and Missy Nunley and very special friend and caregiver, Loretta McCray.
The family would also like to thank everyone who cared for Mrs. Thomas at Valley Healthcare.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105
Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 P.M. Saturday, February 4, 2012 at Antioch House of Prayer, 19479 North Fork River Road, Abingdon, VA with Brother Jason Nunley officiating. Interment will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be John Berry, Marty Berry, Jared Bishop, Charles Bishop, Roy Fore, Buddy Parris, Butch Bowers and Gary McCray. Honorary pallbearers are Dewey Kiser, Kenneth Hayter, nieces and nephew and all friends and family who knew and loved her.
The family will receive friends at Farris Funeral Service from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Friday, February 3, 2012.
The family of Mrs. Thomas is under the care of Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276) 623-2700.