Samuel Wilbur Thomas

Samuel Wilbur Thomas obituary

Samuel Wilbur Thomas

Samuel Thomas Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by John O. Morris Funeral Home on Sep. 8, 2025.

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John 5:28, 29 "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgement."

On September 2, 2025, Samuel Wilbur Thomas Sr passed away following a long illness, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Samuel better known to all as "Sammy" was born on August 14th, 1959, in Northampton County Virginia to the late Dorothy Mae Kellam Thomas and the late William Thomas. He was adrag racing legend and skilled mechanic, having been taught the latter by a special father figure, the late Walter "Ice Man" Smith.

Sammy was also known as "Driver" and "Tire Man". He had a love of drag racing and fixing up older model cars. He was a local celebrity in the Eastern Shore Street racing circuit, known for having very few losses, and even raced one of his fastest cars "The Timber Beast" at different tracks in Virginia and Delaware, bringing home trophies. This made Sammy, the mechanic many called on to make their cars faster.

Sammy loved spending time with his family, traveling and in his later years mowing lawns. Like clockwork you could catch him leading the pack taking his family to his eldest sister's home for Thanksgiving every year and pulling his lawn mower up highway 13 every week. Never being able to keep still for too long Sammy was known for his unmatched work ethic, entrepreneurial mindset, his integrity and his never-quit spirit. If Sammy said he was going to do something you had better believe that it was already done.

For those of you who know him, never forget what comes to mind when you hear the name SAMMY THOMAS.

Aside from his parents he was predeceased by his brothers Preston Smith, Arthur "Shorty Pop" Thomas, and Walter "Waller T" Thomas. His sisters Lillian Odessa "Nin" Borden, Mary Hellen "Kissey" Weeks, Barbara Jean Williams, and Vera Perry.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories his wife of 43 yearsDiane Thomas of Cheriton, VA; four children: Samuel (Lakisha) Thomas Jr, of Norfolk, VA, Tanya (Wadson) Forlevil, of Melfa, VA, Micheal (Natashia) Thomas of Newport News, VA, Ramel Uptegrow of Hampton, VA;two bonus children Anthony (Nancy) Thomas of Lawrenceville, GA, Vanessa Rowley of Suffolk, VA; six grandchildren: Jazmina Manley of Hampton VA, Nykeria Thomas of Smyrna DE, Alise Hill of Norfolk, VA, Waren Forlevil of Melfa, VA, Walter Forlevil of Melfa, VA, Nala Uptegrow of Hampton, VA; three brothers: William (Fannie) Giddens of Birdsnest, VA, Howard Thomas of Eastville, VA, Robert (Charity) Thomas of Hare Valley, VA, four sisters: Alice Giddens of Chester, MD, Gladys Perkins of Daugherty, VA, Lola (Larry) Harmon of Belle Haven, VA, Geraldine (Charles) Tankard of Hare Valley, VA; one fraternal brother, Theodore Townsend of Fayetteville, NC; one brother in law, Cornelius Wyatt Jr, a close niece, Kim Mcgee and a host of nieces, nephews and many other family members and friends.

Revelation 21:3,4 "With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: "Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."

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