Ms. Cody Jane White Thomas, age 81, passed away on November 16, 2024 She was born on May 7, 1943, in Charlotte, NC, to Price Cody White and Vatha Navey, and she grew up in Thomasboro, NC.
Cody Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin E. Thomas; her daughter, Donna Thomas; and her grandson, Jordan Thomas. She is survived by her daughters, Marva and Deborah Thomas; her grandsons, Joshua Thomas, Thomas Rocha (Karey), and Austen Rocha (Alyssia); and her cherished great-grandchildren, Everly, Desmond, Lincoln, and Lynnon. She is also survived by her sister, Sue Sherrill (Tony); her stepbrother, Charles Russell (Hilda); her stepsister, Emily Murr; and her companion, Richard Henderson.
Cody Jane was a woman of many passions. She loved to shop and bake, often delighting her family with her famous pound cakes and peanut butter fudge. Her ability to find a bargain earned her the reputation among her family as someone who could "squeeze a penny until it screamed three times," reflecting her character of being a good steward of her resources and time. Spending those precious moments with family and friends brought her immense joy, especially cherishing her grandsons and great-grandchildren, who were the loves of her life.
As an active servant and member of her community, Cody Jane served as treasurer at the local volunteer fire department for over two decades. She maintained lasting friendships with her West Mecklenburg High School classmates, meeting monthly and often bringing along her delicious desserts. Her spirit of generosity extended to her love for travel, including mission trips to Alaska and South America, as well as cruising and occasional visits to Las Vegas.
Cody Jane had a green thumb and took pride in her gardening and canning, even winning a prize for her canned green beans at the county fair. More than anything, she enjoyed the beauty of nature and the animals that visited her home. Known for her authenticity and strong convictions, she was a woman unafraid to express herself—qualities that are increasingly rare in today’s world.
She was a devoted grandmother, attending all her grandsons' sporting events, always there to support them, even when football wasn’t her favorite. Cody Jane was a true social butterfly who never met a stranger, and her kindness touched many lives.
In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree in Green Mountain, NC, or donating to Samaritan's Purse for Hurricane Helene relief. Cody Jane will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her.
The family will host a Celebration of Life for Cody Jane on Thursday December 5th at the Burnsville Town Center. They will receive friends at 11:30am with a service following at 12:30pm.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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