John E. Thomas, Sr.

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer...

We bow in humble submission to the will of God as this loving family has charged our staff to make known to all that their beloved: Mr. John E. Thomas, Sr. of Sasser, Georgia (formerly of Parrott, Georgia), answered the master's call and exchanged time for eternity on Monday, October 31, 2022.

"His Life"

MR. JOHN EDD THOMAS, SR., affectionately known as “Crow,” was born to Limmie Thomas, Sr., and Odessa Blackshear.

At an early age, Crow accepted Christ as his personal savior and joined Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church of Dawson, GA. In his later years, he often fellowshipped at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church - Old Field, Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church, and Calvary Baptist Church.

Crow was reared in Terrell County, Georgia. He was educated at Helen Gurr Junior High School in Parrott, Georgia.

In December of 1954, he was united in holy matrimony to Betty Jean Duck. To this union, five children were born.

Throughout his life, Crow was a known provider. For 40 years, he worked for Stevens Industries / Cargill as a welder and then McClesky Mills until his health failed.  A lover of cars, he worked as a mechanic at Big A’s Automotive Repair aka Meatball's.

On Monday, October 31, 2022, John Edd transitioned to his heavenly home. In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by five siblings, Ola Mae Johnson, Geraldine Blackshear, Limmie Thomas, Jr., J.B. Blackshear, and Claudi Will Blackshear; daughter-in-law, Jessie Dale Thomas; and two close friends, Henry “Bud” Vanover and Earnest “Meatball” Asberry.

He leaves to cherish his memories a devoted and loving family of five children: Reverend John E. (Shirley) Thomas, Jr., James Thomas, Andrea Thomas, Prophet William (Prophetess Tanisha) Thomas, and Gary Thomas; siblings, Catherine Blackshear, Ruby Lois Harris, Jessie (Marie) Blackshear, Redessa Blackshear Moseley, and Herschel (Lovie) Blackshear; sisters-in-law, Frankie Thomas, Martha Griggs, Arlena Duck, and Christine Duck; 18 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren; a special nephew/neighbor, Larry Thomas, Jr., and a host of nieces nephews, cousins, and friends.