Patricia A. Thomas

Mrs. Patricia Annette Thomas, 56, of Palm Coast, Fla., entered into eternal peace Monday, July 6, 2009.

A native of Petersburg, Va., she was the loving daughter of the late Reba Dyson Atkins and the stepdaughter of the late Mr. Wyatt Atkins. Mrs. Patricia Thomas graduated from Petersburg High School in 1971, and attended Virginia Commonwealth University and later received a degree in psychology in 1986. She was formerly employed with the Internal Revenue Service, and recently employed by the Small Business Administration of the federal government.

At the tender age of 12, Patricia received Christ at Gillfield Baptist Church in Petersburg, Va. She became a faithful and tireless advocate for the Million Mom March after losing her first born to violent gunfire. She diligently worked with millions of moms across the nation to encourage Congress to enforce sensible guns law, and lobby against gun manufacturers. She served her country in the United States Army, and was honorably discharged in 1980.

She is predeceased by her parents, Wyatt and Reba Atkins, and her son, Mr. Harrington Jerome McBride.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Mr. Elton Thomas; and her son, Mr. Kenneth Thomas; two brothers, Mr. Jerome Mountcastle of Martinsville, W.Va., and Mr. Wyatt Atkins Jr. of Richmond, Va.; five sisters, Mrs. Judy Wilder (Scott) of Mequon, Milwaukee, Ms. Brenda Mountcastle of Baltimore, Ms. Jemal Battle and Ms. Cynthia Moore of Petersburg, Va., and Ms. Debra Cameron of Colonial Heights, Va.; her mother-in-law, Mrs. Carrie Thomas of Fayetteville, N.C.; her father-law, Mr. Tom Thomas (Lillian) of Hampton, Va.; two brothers-in-law, Mr. Reginald Thomas (Angelita), and Mr. Michael Thomas (Pansha) of Saudi Arabia; four uncles, the Rev. Joseph Dyson (Vera) of Petersburg, Va., Mr. Herbert Dyson (Lynn) of Springfield, Mass., the Rev. Fletcher Dyson of Augusta, Ga., and Mr. Frank Dyson (Marlene) of Toronto, Canada; two aunts, Ms. Vivian Robertson and Margaret Dyson of New York City, New York; and Auntie Momma, Ms. Rose Edmunds of Petersburg, Va.; and a host of and nieces and nephews.

A homegoing celebration will be held at noon on Monday, July 13, 2009, at the St. John Baptist Church, Stony Creek, with the Rev. Linda Skipper, associate minister, officiating. Burial will commence at the Dinwiddie Memorial Park. Mrs. Thomas may be viewed from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2009, at the Johnson Funeral Home, 451 Halifax St., Petersburg, and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Johnson Funeral Home, Petersburg Chapel, 451 Halifax St., Petersburg, (804) 733-1117.