Simon Thomas

LILBOURN - Simon Sweeney Thomas, 73, died Nov. 18, 2002.

Born June 9, 1929, son of the late Percy Henry and Autrobell Geans Thomas, he was a 1947 graduate of O'Bannon High School. He graduated in 1956, with a bachelor of arts degree, from the Agricultural Mechanical and Normal College. In 1970, he received a master of education degree from Wayne State University. Thomas had taught at O'Bannon and Howardville public schools in Missouri and retired from Michigan Public Schools. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953-56.

On Jan. 20, 1951, he married Ethel B. Young, who survives.

Other survivors include: two daughters, Agnes Townsend of Lilbourn and Linnie Mae Thomas of St. Louis; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Willie C. and Dorothy Thomas of Milwaukee, Wis., and Leonard Thomas; one brother, Andrew Thomas Sr.; and five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Four brothers preceded him in death.

Visitation is from 11 a.m. Saturday until service time at noon at the House of Deliverance Church of God in Christ at Portageville.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery near New Madrid.

Williams-Farr and Purnell Funeral Home of Howardville is in charge of arrangements.