Delores Buchanan Thomas

Delores (Buchanan) Thomas, passed peacefully into her Father's welcoming arms at the tender age of 91, on February 28, 2019 following a period of declining health surrounded by her loving family. Born January 10, 1928, in Bakersville, NC, to Annie Ledford Buchanan Smith and Clate Buchanan. Growing up in the mountains, she was a second mother to her younger siblings, and that love and nurturing ability continued effortlessly with her own family. Delores married the love of her life, Robert Thomas, in 1946 and had 5 children. She often said that the reason she chose not to date following his death in 1984 was "why date when you've had the best." Through the decades, a love of summer gardening, canning, flowers, and family vacations spent with her children and their families were just a few of the highlights of her life. Just the small everyday moments, the memories, the laughter, and love made for a life wonderfully lived. Her love for her Savior and her church were foremost in her life, where she was a true disciple of Christ and displayed an unwavering faith and love for everyone. Delores worked in the food ministry program at Oak Ridge Baptist Church up to the prime age of 90. She is survived by brothers Avery (Margaret) Buchanan of Spruce Pine, NC, Bill (Becky) Buchanan of Granite Falls, NC, Wade (Brenda) Buchanan of Connelly Springs, NC, Richard (Debra) Smith of Hildebran, NC, Edward Smith of Charlotte, and sisters Georgie Turner of Old Fort, NC, and June Lowman of Hickory, NC. Left to cherish her memory are her 4 daughters, Diana (Dave) Turman of Hickory, NC, Nancy (Clayton) Lowman of Hildebran, NC, Kay (Joe) Smith of Connelly Springs, NC, and Shelia (Billy) Sherrill of Hildebran, NC. Her only son, Bob (Sally) Thomas predeceased her, as well as two sisters, Dorothy Ann Buchanan and Veda Kaylor, brother, Hayden Buchanan, and grandson Benjamin Thomas Smith. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren and their children: Chris (Marjorie) Burkett, Nicholas and Camila, Matthew Burkett, Maggie, Noah, and Tucker, Clay (Amy) Lowman, Andrew and Michael, Jennifer (Jeremy) Puckett, Jackson and Meris, Nickki (Larry) Absher, Luke and Jake, Joey (Crystal) Smith, Mayson, Taylor, and Chloe, Trae Putnam and Fore, Robbie (Megan) Putnam, Raegan and Peyton, Olivia Homesley, Kaylen and Jaclyn, Lindsay (Gregg) Bradford, Hudson and Finley, Hunter (Hunter) Thomason, Eloise, Cecilia, and Waylan, Kaylie (Sam) Saidman, and Eddison, and Brett and Bella Thomas. Family was the sustaining mainstay of her life …. Delores so enjoyed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Through her example, many seeds of unconditional love, hard work, and character were planted. Through her purposeful nurturing, they will continue to grow for many generations to come. Accepting, humble, gracious, endearing, beautiful… are but a few of the adjectives one could use to describe Delores. The family would be remiss if we didn't mention that she was the matriarch of the Buchanan family with a kind word and a listening ear; steadfast in her deep devotion to her brothers, sisters, and many nieces and nephews. In simple words, she was adored by many. A Celebration of her life will be on Sunday, March 3, 2019 at Oak Ridge Baptist Church. Receiving of friends and family will be from 2:00pm – 3:00pm with the funeral service to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either the Oak Ridge Baptist Church Building Fund or the Shekinah Food Ministry at 7449 Oak Ridge Church Rd., Connelly Springs, NC 28612. An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com. Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory of Valdese is serving the family.