Grace Thomas

July 8, 1937 - March 20, 2019

Mrs. Grace J. Thomas, 81, of Russellville, Alabama, passed away Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at her residence. A native of Hodges, Alabama, she had lived in the area all of her life and was a member of Eastside Church of Christ, Russellville. She retired from DHR with the State of Alabama. She is described by her family as gentle, yet strong, kind, patient, generous, loving, funny, talented, humble, and organized. She loved her family fiercely and fully. Her great grandsons were the light of her life. Her granddaughter treasures their daily telephone visits and is so appreciative of her grandmother’s trying her very best to be a mom, plus grandmother, after the passing of Heather’s mother. All who knew Grace Thomas loved her. She will be missed greatly. And in the words of Heather, “There will be one big reunion in Heaven with Memaw and other loved ones.” Visitation with family and friends will be Saturday, March 23, 2019 at Pinkard Funeral Home, Russellville from 12:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. Services will begin at 2:00 P.M. in the funeral home chapel with Johnny Richardson and Tadd Corder. officiating. Burial will be at Franklin Memory Gardens, Russellville. Mrs. Thomas is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Bendall and husband Colin of Russellville; granddaughter, Heather Conner and husband Scott and their twins James and John Conner, plus soon-to-be great grandson, Thomas Conner, of Burns, Tennessee. Other survivors include brothers, Hoyt Johnson and Roy Johnson and wife Sandra; brother-in-law, Raymond Hammock; sister-in-law, Betty Grant and husband Scott; daughter-in-law, Julie Thomas; and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. Preceding her in death in 2014 was her husband, J.W. Thomas; son, Keith Thomas; Cathy Wells Thomas, the mother of Heather; parents, Cohen and Opal Massey Johnson; and sister, Lenice Hammock. Pinkard Funeral Home, Russellville, is directing.