M. Wayne Thomas

Dateline: Abingdon, VA- Mansfield Wayne Thomas, age 81, passed on Friday, August 28, 2015, at Johnston Memorial Hospital. He was the first of six children born to the late Clayton Thomas and Edna Snodgrass Thomas. Wayne was a veteran of the United States Air Force, was a member of Trigg Street Church of God, and retired from Raytheon as an electrical engineer. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ellen F. Collins Thomas; daughter, Judy Henderson and husband Dean of Abingdon; four brothers: Vandall Thomas and wife Gail of OK; Clayton “Jay” Thomas and wife Sue of NC; Harold Thomas and wife Beverly of AR; and Ronald Thomas and wife Darlene of Glade Spring; sister, Ramona Wilson and husband Larry of NC; grandson, Christopher Henderson of Abingdon; and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at Forest Hills Memory Gardens on Tuesday, September 1, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. with the Rev. Steve Vaughan and the Rev. James Beaver officiating. Pallbearers will be Barry Compton, Bobby Inscore, Fred Roberts, and Gene Robinson. Honorary pallbearers will be John Miller, Paul Osborne, Billy Sullivan, and Charlie Sullivan. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA 24210. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Ernest Henry and the nurses and staff of Johnston Memorial Hospital. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook. The family of Mansfield Wayne Thomas is being cared for by Farris Cremation and Funeral Center, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).