Melvin Eugene Thomas

Melvin Eugene Thomas, 71, died Sunday, July 5, 2009 at his home in Marion. He was born in Chilhowie to Pansy Harris Thomas and the late Lee Melvin Thomas. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his sister Gracie Hamm and an infant brother. He was a veteran of the United States Army and worked at American Furniture. He loved to hunt, fish and garden. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Ruby Sheets Thomas; his mother, Pansy Harris Thomas, Chilhowie; three sons and daughters-in-Law, Ricky Thomas and wife, Alice, Ronnie Thomas and Denise, and Randall Thomas and wife, Becky, all of Marion; one daughter and son-in-Law, Rosetta "Lynn" Pickle and husband, Larry, Rural Retreat; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald Thomas and wife, Carolyn, Saltville, and James Thomas and wife, Sue, Marion; two sisters and brothers-in-Law, Mary Feeny and husband, Garland, Martinsville and Diana Harper and husband, Butch, Chilhowie;10 grandchildren, Ronnie, Nikki, Tyler, Chris, Alisha, Johnathan, Jessica, Ryan, Leanna, Brianna; five great-grandchildren, Corey, Hunter, Chelsea, Mahailey and Cody; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 7, at 7 p.m. from the Southfork Baptist Church with the Rev. Charlie Walker officiating. Military honors rendered by the Francis Marion VFW Post 4667. Burial will be private. The family received friends Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m. at the church. Flowers will be appreciated or memorial donations can be made to the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley's Funeral Home, Marion, is in charge of arrangements.