Avis Thomas

LAFAYETTE — Avis Jeanette Loughridge Thomas, 96, passed away Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, at Baptist Village, Waycross, Ga. after an extended illness. She was born July 10, 1921 to the late William Benjamin Loughridge and Maggie Wheeler Loughridge. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of LaFayette, where she served for many yrs. as treasurer as well as assisting weekly in the church library. She was a retiree of the Bank of LaFayette and supported many organizations and causes during her retirement. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willard Emory Thomas; brother, Benjamin Ross Loughridge; sister, Betty Genelle Roberts; and daughter, Margaret Lynn Thomas Bennett. Survivors include son, William Stephen Thomas and wife Eve, of Alma, Ga.; daughter, Avis Jeanette Thomas Rogers and husband Brad, of Johns Creek, Ga.; son-in-law, Rowell Bennett, of Rome, Ga.; sister, Doris Charlene Potts, of Peavine, Ga.; sister-in-law, Mary Alice Thomas, of LaFayette, Ga.; eight grandchildren, Bill Bennett and wife Lauren of Portland, Maine, William Ty Thomas and wife Elyse of Lawrenceville, Ga., Stephen A. Dubbberly and wife Amanda of Johns Creek, Ga., Bradley E. Dubberly, of Waycross, Ga., Maggie E. Thomas of LaFayette, Ga., Katherine Rae Thomas, of Alma, Ga., Andrew Thomas Rogers, of Atlanta, Ga., Sara Catherine Rogers, of Greenville, S.C.; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held today, Oct. 5, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Lafayette, Ga. with Dr. Warren Moorhead officiating. Interment will follow in the LaFayette City Cemetery. Pallbearers are Ty Thomas, Bill Bennett, Andrew Rogers, Bradley Dubberly, Stephen Dubberly and Glenn Gunnells. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the Ellis-Walraven Sunday School class. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the church of individual choice. Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.