Mrs. Ruby Vella (Atkinson) Thomas, age 92, of Lavonia, died Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at Pruitt Health of Toccoa.
Born August 20, 1922, in Lavonia, she was the daughter of the late Arthur Valentine Atkinson and Cellie Jane (Watson) Atkinson. She was a homemaker and member of the Line Women's Club. She was a former member of Middle River Baptist Church and a current member of Fairview Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband: Frank Thomas; daughter: Shirley Andrews; sister: Ruth Carroll; and brothers: Frank Atkinson and Willie Atkinson.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law: Jean and Bobby Watkins of Lavonia; granddaughter and grandson-in-law: Leigh and Bill Thomas of Athens; great-grandson: Jesse Thomas; great-grandson and great-granddaughter-in-law: Chance and Rhea Thomas; and great-great grandchildren: Reagan, Jase, and Paisley Thomas.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 13, 2015 at the Lavonia Chapel of Strickland Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Jameson, Rev. Bill Thomas, and Rev. Bruce Moore officiating. A private burial will follow in Franklin Memorial Gardens – North. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. At other hours the family will be at the home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fairview Baptist Church, 9922 Highway 59, Lavonia, GA 30553.