Ora Hash Thomas

Mrs. Ora Hash Thomas, of Thomas Farms Road, Stuart, Va., died Thursday, October 1, 2009, surrounded by loved ones in the Blue Ridge Nursing Center at the age of 97. She was born August 18, 1912, in Endicott, Va., a daughter of the late James Goode Lane Hash and Nannie Ruth Snead Hash. She was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers, Noah, Abram, Chester, Lester, Noel and Amos; two sisters, Sally and Virginia; one son, W. Paul Thomas; and husband, A. Maurice Thomas. Mrs. Thomas is survived by two sisters, Gustava Sutphin, of Silver Springs, Md., and Ruth Jones, of Rocky Mount; one brother, Dr. John and Mrs. Mary Ann Hash, of Nashville, Tenn.; and sister-in-law, Mrs. Geogene Hash, of Dublin. She is also survived by her children, Elaine and Willie Belcher, of Woolwine, Ilene and Jack Spencer, of Madison, Ala., Nancy and David Henley of Roanoke; a daughter-inlaw, Judy Thomas, of Stuart; five grandchildren, Dean and Diane Belcher, Roger and Susan Spencer, Ron and Sharon Spencer, Sally and Brian Jenkin and John Paul and Kelly Thomas; seven greatgrandchildren, Amanda, Rachel and Samuel Belcher, Gregory and Hayden Spencer, Laura and Stephen Spencer; and one great-greatgrandson, Jaxon Dean Frederic, who was born on her birthday. She is also survived by many cousins, nephews and nieces and her caregivers, Mrs. Linda Lawson and Mrs. Darnell Craig. She was blessed to have many caregivers, during the years, that she became very fond of and they were family to her. Mrs. Thomas, an alumnus of Radford University, taught school for 29 years. She was a member of the Fairystone Fire Department Auxiliary and Patrick County Retired Teachers Association. Following her retirement, she traveled extensively, enjoying each new experience to the fullest. She always had a garden and many, many beautiful flowers. She was a quilter and loved to crochet, making afghans for her children and grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at Moody Funeral Home, in Stuart, on Saturday, October 3, 2009, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Jim Churchwell and Brother Lowell Hopkins officiating. Burial will follow in the County Line Cemetery, in Floyd. Family will receive friends at the funeral home two hours prior to the service and at other times at the home of her daughter, Elaine T. Belcher, 86 Charity Hwy., Woolwine, Va. 24185. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Smith River Rescue Squad, c/o C. Harris, P.O. Box 122, Woolwine, Va. 24185. Online condolences may be sent by visiting moodyfuneralservices.com.