STATESBORO, Ga. -- Mrs. Lois Carter Thomas, age 96, died Sunday morning at her residence following a brief illness. The native and lifelong resident of Bulloch County was the daughter of the late F.N. Carter Sr. and Margie Carter of Portal, Ga. She was a homemaker and a retired school bus driver with the Bulloch County Board of Education. She was a member of the Clito Baptist Church. Mrs. Thomas was preceded in death by her husband, William Clifford Thomas; and a son, John C. Thomas.

Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, William Clifford Thomas III and Beverly of Douglas, Ga.; a daughter, Margie Hendley of Statesboro; her grandchildren, Olivia Thomas Durden and Russell and Angelia Thomas Rucker and Brent, all of Douglas, Dr. William Clifford "Bill" Thomas IV and Stephanie of Riverview, Fla., Jason Hendley of Statesboro, John Hendley and Holly and Barry Wolfe, all of Millen, and Julia Elizabeth Hendley of Atlanta; her great-grandchildren, Brittney Durden Wooten and Kelvin of Denton, Casey Durden Clark and Will of Douglas, Russell Thomas Durden and Melanie of Macon, J.B. Rucker and Katie of Douglas, Dustin Rucker and Danyel of Madison, Fla., Jay Hendley and Betsy of Calhoun, Aaron Hendley and Michael Kimbrell of Statesboro, Hendley and Gee Kimbrell of Millen and Jonathan and Dianna Hendley of Statesboro; her great-great-grandchildren, Matthew and Jack Thomas of Riverview, Fla., Kalli and Kinsley Wooten of Denton, Maci and Madisyn Rucker of Douglas, Amira Ruth and Ramsey Thomas of Calhoun; and a sister, Grace Smith of Swainsboro.

The funeral service will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home with the Rev. Joe Hulsey and Chaplain Michael Kimbrell officiating. Interment will be in the Eastside Cemetery. Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.

Statesboro Herald, July 23, 2013