James "Preacher" Thomas, age 58, of Martinsville, died on October 12, 2012 at the VA Hospital in Roanoke. He was born in Martinsville on February 16, 1954 to the late Walter Anderson Thomas and Inez Martin Thomas Vernon. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers, Carl Wayne Vernon, Buddy Thomas and Randy Thomas.
We was of the Baptist Faith. Before becoming ill, he had done dry wall construction and was also an active member of the Collinsville Eagles, The AMVETS and Friends of Philpott. He was a U.S. Army veteran.
He is survived by a brother, William Ray Vernon of Bassett, and five sisters, Connie Shumate of Martinsville, Linda Trent of Martinsville, Deborah Thompson of Collinsville, Marsha Vernon of Fieldale and Penny Denny of Collinsville and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be held on Monday, October 15, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Roselawn Funeral Home with Pastor Phillip Woods officiating the service and interment will follow with military rites presented by the Martinsville-Henry County Veterans Honor Guard in the Mountain View Cemetery in Ridgeway. The family will receive friends on Monday before the service from 12-1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Roselawn and at other times friends can visit the home of a sister, Marsha Vernon, 254 Clyde Prillaman Road, Fieldale.
Arrangements are by Roselawn Chapel Funeral Home.