Mrs. Kay Annette Thomas of 209 Dykes Avenue, Rochelle, Georgia died Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at the Crisp Regional Hospital in in Cordele, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held Sunday, June 12, 2022 at 5:30 PM at the Wilcox County High School Gymnasium in Rochelle, Georgia.  The burial will follow at the Evergreen Church Cemetery in Rochelle, Georgia.  Everyone in attendance is asked to please wear a mask and to practice social distancing.

Kay Annette Thomas, began her earthly journey on May 9, 1950, to the parentage of the late Susie Mae Robinson and the late Rosbie Lee Tisdol in Alto, Georgia. She joined Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church where she served faithfully as a Choir Member as well as the Church Secretary until her health began to fail. She attended Excelsior High School Rochelle, GA and graduated with the class of 1969. She went on to study business accounting at South Georgia Technical College. On June 7, 2022, while at Crisp Regional, the Lord called Annette home.

Annette began her career at Ithaca Manufacturer and rose through the ranks to supervisor. She worked as a store manager for the Holiday Market Convenience chain when Ithaca closed. She was the Wilcox County Sheriff Department's Chief Jailor for more than a decade. She worked as a clerk for the Rochelle Police Department for nine years until her health began to worsen.

In April of 1975, Annette married Willie Clarence Thomas Jr.  Together, they shared a blended family; Charvis Thomas, Chandra Jackson, Shelva Thomas, Dexter Thomas, and raised their grandson Keon Thomas. Annette and Clarence spent most of their time with their grandchildren, playing cards with friends and family, and fishing when the weather permitted.

Annette picked up a fishing hobby from her mother, the late Susie Mae Tisdol. She loved playing cards and Pokeno with her sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and cousins and welcomed any competition to challenge her. In her younger years she loved to play softball. Annette was a member of The Prince Hall Order of the Eastern Star, Fairfield Chapter #41, in Rochelle, GA where she served as treasurer.  She was also a Chartered Member of RH Ball Court #17.

The importance of time cannot be overstated. Annette was always willing to give hers, whether it was waking up early to prepare holiday meals for her entire family, practicing faithfully with her choir members to prepare for Sunday service. She traveled near and far to different churches to sing. She helped raise her great-niece Tykeedra Tisdol after her mother passed away.

Annette was preceded in death by her parents; five of her brothers,  Jimmy Tisdol, Larry Tisdol (Verlene), Roy Tisdol, Tony Tisdol, Jerome Tisdol and two of her sisters, Ruth Ann Eady (Artice) and Mary Jo Coney (Nebuchadnezzar).

Annette leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband, Willie Clarence Thomas Jr. (Rochelle, GA); Her children Charvis Thomas (Tina), daughter Shelva Thomas, Dexter Thomas (Chelcee), Keon Thomas, Chandra Jackson; Grandchildren, Jataryous Davenport, Uniqua Thomas, Aniyah Jackson, Sydney Thomas, Dakota Thomas, Shantavia Miller, Shikea Jackson, Michanda Jackson and Jada Ford;  Great grandchildren, Ava Thomas, Daniya Miller, Giaunna Bailey, Ashton Copper and Mason Copper; Brothers, Jessie Tisdol, Rosbie Lee Tisdol Jr and Fred McAdoo;  Sisters, Queenie Ferguson and    Doris Miller (Eddie); Aunt, Juanita Robinson and a host of long-time loyal friends, many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.