Eddie Thomas Jr.

Eddie Thomas Jr. January 30, 1948- February 19, 2008 LEBANON, IL— Retired First Sgt. Eddie Thomas Jr., of 711 W. Nixon Dr., Lebanon, IL., formerly of Phenix City, AL. died February 19, 2008 at Belleville Hospital. Funeral services will be 12 noon today, February 26, 2008 at Pine Hill Baptist Church, Phenix City, AL. with the Rev. David Sanders officiating. Burial will follow at Main Post Cemetery in Ft. Benning, GA. Visitation will be today from 9 until 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, according to Taylor Funeral Home. Mr. Thomas was born January 30, 1948 in Phenix City, AL., son of the late Lela Thomas and Eddie B. Thomas Sr. Eddie confessed a hope in Christ at an early age at Pine Hill M.B. Church in Phenix City, AL. He was a member of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Lebanon, IL. under the leadership of Rev. Dr. W.J. Griffin. He was a Master Mason and a member of the Male Gospel Choir. Eddie proudly served his country in the United States Army. He received the Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, President Unit Citation and other awards too numerous to name. He was a Vietnam veteran and retired in 1994 as 1st Sergeant after serving this grateful nation. He leaves to cherish his glorious memories, his loving wife, Sharon C. Thomas; sons, Thomas Thomas, Isaac Thomas, Edwin Thomas and James Thomas; daughters, Sandra Petus, Sonya Thomas and Nicole Mathis; twenty two grandchildren; one great grandchild; sisters, Marie (Fleming) Tate and Ruth Mae Ramsey; brothers, Curtis (Tina) Thomas and Marvin (Catherine) Thomas; sisters in law, Flossie (Albert) McDonald, Will Bell Miles, Edith Harden and Helen Thomas; aunts, Cora Miles, Annie (John) Burrows and Rosa Lee Miles; special niece, Swumzetta Thomas; very close friends and family Moses (Mary) Jackson, Theresa Roper, Willie Farmer, Sandra Fayne Jenkins and Diane Lewis and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins who will truly miss him.