Lavone Charles Thomas

Lavone Charles Thomas Sunrise: May 9, 1935 - Sunset: January 28, 2010 Lavone Charles Thomas, age 74, of Newport, Tennessee passed away Thursday, January 28, 2010 at Life Care Center in Morristown, Tennessee after a lengthy illness. Lavone was a graduate of Tanner School in Newport. He was employed as a concrete and brick mason earlier in his life in Newport, Tennessee. He attended Swift Memorial Junior College where he met his future wife, Mary Ernestine Hatcher-Thomas of Norton, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alice Woods Thomas-Stewart and Clarence Pete Thomas; grandparents, Ada and Porter Woods; step-father, Robert Stewart, all of Newport; his children, Johnny Maurice Thomas and Vera Lee Bandy, of Morristown, Tennessee; uncle and aunts, Pearl Woods, Sarah Woods, Rosa White, Matilda Hatcher, Polly Ownsby; and cousins, Margie Pruitt and Ada B. Robinson both of Newport, Tennessee; and William "Bill" Woods of LaGrange, Georgia. He is survived by his children and spouses, Walter Phillip Thomas (Marcia); Yvonne (Lewis) Simpson of Morristown and Ardena Marie Thomas of Morristown, (fianceé Alonzo Arnold) of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Sammie Mae Ramsey (William "Bill") of Morristown; Mary Lynn Dykes (Dion "Don" Sr.) of Newport; Melvinlene Thomas-Sims of Atlanta, Georgia; Elgin Robinson (Carolyn); Lou Nichols and Crystal Oglesby, all of Newport; former wife & special friend, Mary Erenstine Hatcher-Thomas; aunt, Bessie Thomas of Newport; sister-in-law, Mary Hatcher of Alliance, Ohio; sons-in-law, Donnell "Big Don" Bandy, Sr. and Jake Sims, Jr. of Morristown; daughter-in-law, Janie Hicks-Thomas, also of Morristown; eighteen grandchildren, Tina Thomas, of Knoxville, Tennessee; April Ramsey, Ronota Thomas, Donnell "Lil Don" Bandy Jr., Ikeshia Ramsey, Jescina Ramsey, Jospeh Ramsey, Jake "J.J." Sims III, Ciaria Simpson (Jordan Hayden) all of Morristown; Danielle Thomas of Atlanta, Georgia; Chelsey Dykes, Dion Dykes Jr., Sonya Davidson, Keyshawn Robinson, Sametira Robinson, Crystal Carter, Isaiah and Isaac Oglesby all of Newport; twenty great-grandchildren; cousins, Katherine Carmichael, Robert Woods, James Pruitt Sr., Walter "Rooster" Robinson and Frances Robinson all of Newport; a devoted friend, Stella Ownsby of Newport; a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends on Friday, February 5, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Manes Funeral Home Chapel in Newport. The funeral service begin at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Betty Chandler officiating. The interment will immediately follow. Manes Funeral Home is in charge. Family and friends may sign guest registry at www.manesfuneralhome.com

Lavone Charles Thomas

May 9, 1935 - January 28, 2010