Mr. Derrick Thomas

Derrick Thomas was born on January 4, 1976, at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia to Evelyn Annette Thomas. Evelyn was the second child of James and Florence Thomas, and one of eight children. Although Derrick was an only child, he was never alone because of the close relationships that he had with his cousins. For Derrick, these relationships were more like sibling relationships because he spent his childhood, adolescence and adulthood hanging out and spending time with his cousins and other family members.
Derrick's mother had grown up attending Leete Hill United Methodist Church in LaGrange, Georgia with her mother, father, brothers and sisters. When the family relocated to Atlanta in the 60s, Central United Methodist Church became their new church home. At a young age, Derrick began attending Central with Grammy, Da-Da and his mother. Derrick began serving in the church as a member of the Cherub Choir when he was 5 and continued participating in Christmas plays, Sunday school and other church events. Derrick always attended the annual church picnic with his mother and grandparents and began serving as an acolyte at the age of 10.
Derrick loved spending the holidays with his family. He never missed a Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner at Grammy and Da-Da's house. He also loved going to family reunions. Every year he would travel with his mother, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins to different states throughout the country: Alabama, Tennessee, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and even California. Derrick loved to travel and see new places and meet new people. In 1990, Derrick began attending Harper High School in Atlanta, and he graduated in 1994. Derrick loved listening to music, playing video games, and keeping in touch with his family and friends on Facebook. But what Derrick loved the most was cars! He developed a love for cars when he was younger than 5 and could tell you the make and model of any car just by looking at it. From memory, he could recite key details that even the most skilled auto technician wouldn't know. He also enjoyed and excelled at his career as a Security Guard, where he was eventually promoted to Manager. Later in life, Derrick discovered that he had a hidden talent for and love of painting.
Derrick was a very easy-going guy with a kind heart and a gentle spirit. He was affectionately known by his cousins and loved ones as "Big D" or just "D". He was truly a "Gentle Giant". His childlike chuckle and love for his family will truly be missed.
Derrick is preceded in death by his grandfather and grandmother, James Thomas, Jr. and Florence Thomas; his mother, Evelyn A. Thomas; his uncles and aunts, Melvin (Wynell) Thomas, Bernice Glover, James (aka Jimmy) Thomas, III, Florence T. Lester, and Michael Thomas; his cousins, Charles Lester, II and Joy (Angel) Anderson.
Derrick is survived by his uncles and aunt, Larry (Sandra) Thomas and William Glover Jr.; his cousins, Cheryl (Sheryl) Glover-Moody, Anthony (Lisa) Perry, Maria Glover, Connie Harris, Kathryn (Archie) Hall, William M. (Lisa)Glover, Delores (Todd) Towns, and a host of family and friends
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