Deacon Lonnie Will Thomas of 2420 Noelle Lane, Powder Springs, Georgia died Monday, June 19, 2023 at Wellstar Paulding in Hiram, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held Friday, June 30, 2023 at 12:00 Noon in the sanctuary of the Nazarene Church of God in Christ in Buena Vista, Georgia.  The burial will follow at the James McCarter Cemetery in Buena Vista, Georgia.

Lonnie Thomas son of the late Lon and Mary Thomas was born in Marion County on May 2, 1931. He made his transition to Glory on June 19, 2023, the day after Father's Day. Lonnie attended public schools in Buena Vista, Ga. He has always been an advocate of acquiring a good education.

Lonnie left home at an early age to pursue his dream of making a good life for himself. He relocated to Florida where he met the love of his life Genevee Wyly. The two wed on July 13, 1953. This loving and blessed union produced four children- Leslie, Lorraine, Lonnie Jr. and Lorenzo. Always a    praying man of God, he prayed for a wife who would love her children –and that she did! Lonnie loved his family dearly and provided well for them.

For many years he worked for the NYC Public School System as a janitor. He  attended night classes, studied hard and with the assistance of his wife he was ultimately promoted to Custodial Engineer. He was now in the position to hire staff among other new duties. Lonnie made it possible for his brothers and brothers-in-law to also obtain jobs in the Public School System. Lonnie always had a spot in his heart to help others, especially young people. He would open centers several    evenings at the schools in order to give children in the community a safe place to go and keep them off the streets.  Upon Lonnie's retirement his last school planted a tree in his honor.

Lonnie had always been taught to love and honor God at home and where he first attended church, Poplar Springs, Buena Vista, Ga. After moving to NY, Lonnie settled with his family at the Goodwill Baptist Church in the Bronx, NY. Goodwill became home for him and his family for many years. All four of his children were baptized there. Lonnie was ordained a deacon under the leadership of the late Rev James Miles, Pastor and Founder. One of his favorite scriptures was 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV… Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,  rightly dividing the word of truth. He furthered his  religious education by attending the Pearl Tuthill Baptist Educational Center.   Lonnie loved attending Bible class and powerful prayer meetings.  He taught Sunday School and later served as the Sunday School Superintendent as well as chairman of the Deacon Board.

After the death of his beloved wife Genevee and upon retirement, Lonnie moved to Palm Bay, Fla.  Years later, he moved to Palm Coast, Fla where he met and married Barbara Tennelle. The two were active members in the church and community. Lonnie was a dedicated member of the Florida chapter of the NAACP and a member of the African American Cultural Society. While being a member of the AACS, he fulfilled his dream of visiting the Panama Canal.

After joining the First Baptist Church of Armstrong, Pastor Alphonso Harvey asked Deacon Lonnie Thomas to train young men to become deacons. He took great pleasure in administering these  classes. The young men respected and enjoyed their time with him. Many called him later in life to thank him. He received a call announcing the passing of his good friend Pastor Harvey, whom he loved dearly. He was elated to later learn that God called one of his students to become Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Armstrong. Pastor Michael Sessions and First Lady Harvey kept in touch with Lonnie continually.

Lonnie became ill and moved back to New York with his children. After two years in NY he would later ask his daughters to relocate back to Georgia to be near his family. Once settled, Lonnie joined the Spirit Life Church in Powder Spring, GA under the leadership of Pastor John E. Citizen. He   attended dutifully in-person until his health declined and then attended online services. He always felt special when the Pastor said, "Lonnie we're still praying for you."

Lonnie's whole life was exemplified by a loving and giving spirit. A great man of faith and wisdom, Lonnie impacted many lives. He prayed fervently and was a blessing and bright light wherever he went. Lonnie Thomas was truly a Man of God. His children, siblings, family members and Goddaughters filled his final years with joy and happiness. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.

Left to cherish his memory: his devoted daughters: Leslie Blakley and Lorraine Thomas-Cole, beloved son, Lorenzo Thomas (Azinia), nephew Steven Thomas who he raised like a son, grandchildren: Jason Blakley (Monica), Tyler Cole, Tiffany Ann Drummond, Loren Thomas, Chelsea Genevee Thomas, Lonnie Louis Thomas, Lance Thomas, great grandchildren: Harley Drummond and Hudson Drummond, siblings: Clemmie McCarter, Myrtice Crumbley (Robert), Geraldine Blackshear, Aaron Thomas, Otis Thomas, sister-in-law, Teresa Thomas, goddaughters: Velma Gaskin and Rosalind Byrd, Godson-Rodney Rollins, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Genevee Thomas of 35 years; a loving son, Lonnie Thomas Jr.; his siblings: Ola Mae Holland, Louise Barrentine, William Thomas, Harris Thomas and   Annie B. Thomas Royal.