Esther Thomas, age 94 passed away Wednesday morning, November 27, 2019, at the family residence. She was born April 6, 1925, in DeFuniak Springs, the daughter of Thomas Henry Garrett and Mamie Bernice Opry Garrett. Esther as a young woman was employed in one of the local five and dime stores in DeFuniak Springs when one evening, during World War II, a handsome young guy, stationed at Eglin with the Army Air Corp and working with Doolittle Raiders as they trained on Eglin hopped on his Indian Motor Cycle and drove to DeFuniak Springs to attend a dance put on to entertain the troops. The rest is history as Esther and Arthur Frank Thomas were married on April 16, 1945. Through the years, Esther worked at Franklin Ferguson Company in Florala and later with Professional Products. Her last employment was with Landrum and Janell Cawthon until they sold their house in DeFuniak Springs and since Esther was 87, she decided she too would retire. Never without something to do, she busied herself in crocheting caps for cancer patients who had lost their hair and made just about every woman in her church, Community Holiness Church of DeFuniak Springs a beautifully crocheted lap blanket. Esther was described by her pastor, Howard Taylor as a faithful member and prayer warrior of the church in addition to being the oldest member of the church and as he stated, “Mom of the Church”. Her testimony is her life and how she honored her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in thought, word and deed. She is predeceased by her husband Arthur Frank Thomas, her grandson Chuck and her brothers, Thomas Jr., James Robert and Cleatus.

Among survivors are her children Artie Thomas and wife Vicki, Orville Thomas, Rita McRae and husband Donnie and James Thomas. Her grandchildren, Lisa, Donna, Kevin, Aaron, Kathy, Tanya, Candice and Katie, and thirteen great-grandchildren also survive.

Funeral: 11:00 am Monday, December 2, 2019, in Community Holiness Church, DeFuniak Springs, Florida with Howard Taylor and Ike Byrd officiating.
Burial: in Magnolia Cemetery.