Mary Nell Thomas

Mary Nell Collins Thomas, 73, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, May 2, 2015, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was at her residence with her family and friends at her side. She was born March 11, 1942, in Toccoa, Georgia, to Barnett J. and Ruville M. Collins. She lived there until she married her high school sweetheart, Buddy G. Thomas, after his graduation from the University of Georgia in 1964. When Bud was called to serve his country, Mary traveled with and faithfully supported her husband for the nearly 27 years of his service in the US Army. Mary graduated from Stephens County High School in 1960 and from North Georgia Technical College in Clarksville in 1961 as a Master Cosmetologist. She worked in that field for about 10 years before taking a break to raise her children. While in Germany, she began her civil service career working for the US Army. In 2010, she retired after 20 years with the Personnel Assignments Branch of Directorate of Human Resources at Fort Stewart. In 2004, Bud and Mary moved to Lake George in Midway, GA. Mary was a member of Fleming Baptist Church where she was in the choir, secretary of the Faith Sunday School class, and many other activities of the church. She was the last president of the Limerick Ladies Club, a garden and beautification club at Lake George. She is survived by her loving and caring husband of 50 years, Bud Thomas, who was a wonderful caretaker; her two precious daughters, Melanie T. Reed and Rhonda Anderson (Bobby); her grandson, Matthew Thomas Reed; her sister, Martha Brangenberg of Lincolnton, GA; a very special aunt, Margie Whitworth; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 1pm at Fleming Baptist Church, 3526 North Coastal Highway 17, Fleming, GA 31309, with Rev. Bob Briley officiating. Burial will follow in Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Glennville. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Faith Sunday School Class at Fleming Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion (https://www.sjchs.org/foundations/tribute-gifts), C/O St. Joseph's/Candler Foundations, Heart & Lung Building, 5356 Reynolds Street, Suite 400, Savannah, GA 31405. Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Nell Thomas, please visit our flower store.