Niki Thomas

Niki Guest Thomas, 42, of Signal Mountain, passed into the arms of God on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015. Niki was born and reared in Bristol, Tenn., was a former resident of Johnson City, and had lived in Signal Mountain for the past four years. She was a graduate of Bristol Tennessee High School, attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and was a Cum Laude graduate of King University in Bristol, where she was named Student Teacher of the Year. She was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority at UT. She taught kindergarten at Avoca Elementary School in Bristol and fifth grade at Lake Ridge Elementary School in Johnson City where she was selected as Teacher of the Year. Niki loved teaching and to her every child was special. She was a member of First Baptist Church while living in Bristol and later joined Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church. Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 10 years, Jabe Thomas, formerly of Johnson City, and their sons, Barnes Thomas and Rhett Thomas, all of Signal Mountain; her parents, Joan and Ron Guest of Bristol; her sisters, Mimi Guest Shymlock, her husband Kelby, and their children Sophie and Sadler Shymlock of Knoxville, and Rhonda Guest Zuga of Madison, Miss.; her mother-in-law, Ruth Miller of Johnson City; her father-in-law, Tommy Thomas of Johnson City; several aunts, uncles and cousins. Nikis life will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon, Oct. 11, 2015, at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, 612 James Boulevard, Signal Mountain, TN 37377, with Rev. Scott Bowen and Rev. Andy Cornett officiating. The family will greet friends at the conclusion of the service at the church. The family extends their heart felt appreciation to Dr. Marq Anz and the Oncology Staff at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga and, particularly, nurses Mike and Jessica. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, 612 James Boulevard, Signal Mountain, TN 37377, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family and viewed at www.Oakley-Cook.com. Oakley-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory of Bristol, Tenn., has assisted the family with the arrangements.