Winters Ferris Thomas, son of Claude and Stella Thomas, was born in Kinston, Ala. on Jan. 12, 1925 and passed away April 27, 2014 in Bay Minette.
He grew up as an only child, working on the family farm near Samson. At an early age, he taught himself to be an outstanding cook, which enabled him to serve others well during his lifetime.
While attending high school, he was drafted by the U.S. Army, and proudly served his country. He was one of the last great veterans of World War II and the Korean War.
After he returned from war, he completed his high school education. One of his best memories was as a participant of an Honor Flight trip in 2012 from Mobile to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial, where his granddaughter Amy had the pleasure of escorting him.
He also served in Detachment One, “C” Co., 711th Signal Battalion National Guard, based in Bay Minette from 1948-1985.
He was married for 53 years to Gwendolyn Danley Thomas, who predeceased him in 2000.
They have a daughter, Diane Thomas Roth of San Antonio, Texas; and son, Ferris L. Thomas and wife Chatta Thomas of Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Their grandchildren include Amy Thomas Cofer and husband, Joey Cofer of Dumfries, Va., Leslie Roth Fraser and husband William Fraser IV of Tomball, Texas, Stephanie Roth Silverberg and husband Eddie S. Silverberg of San Diego, Calif., Bobby Roth of San Antonio, Texas, Charis Thomas of Fort Walton Beach, Fla. and Casey Thomas of Foley. Great-grandchildren include Joseph, Madison and Hannah Cofer, and McKenzie, Addison and William (V) Fraser.
Mr. Thomas worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Soil Conservation Service for 31 years, and then worked for the Alabama Court System for more than 12 years.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas both enjoyed being active in the community and ran the Thomas Bus Service for many years.
He served tirelessly on the board of the Baldwin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority for 47 years.
He was a charter member of Southside Baptist Church in Bay Minette, where he served as a deacon, was its treasurer for 23 years, and in many other capacities.
He is survived by Gloria Annette Thomas, whom he married on March 6, 2004, and had two stepsons, Jimmy Stewart and his recently deceased wife Marlene of Loxley and Ronnie Stewart of Birmingham.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 30, 2014, at 10 a.m., at Southside Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Larry Patterson officiating.
Burial will follow at Bay Minette Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, April 29, 2014, from 6 until 8 p.m., at Norris Funeral Home in Bay Minette.
His family appreciates the assistance of Georgia Brown, Rose Wood and Linda Garrick, all of whom cared for him during his last illness, as well as the compassionate care of Community Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, he requested that donations in his memory be made to Southside Baptist Church, 526 Brady Road, Bay Minette, AL 36507.
Arrangements by Norris Funeral Home, Bay Minette.
To post online condolences, visit www.norrisfuneralservice.com.
