Mrs. Carolyn Ann Thomas, 81, passed away early Sunday morning, Dec. 10, 2023 at her home in Henderson.
Funeral services were 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at Shackelford Funeral Directors of Henderson - East Main Chapel with burial to follow in Trinity Cemetery.
The family received friends at East Main Chapel from 5-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11.
She was born in Selmer, March 14, 1942 daughter of the late Cecil and Robbie Redmon Clayton. She grew up in Bethel Springs and was a graduate of Selmer High School.
She attended Union University and earned a BS in Elementary Education. She then began a teaching career that spanned 44 years beginning in Marked Tree, Ark., then Ramer School in McNairy County before coming to Chester County Jr. High, then West Chester Elementary followed by Chester County Middle School.
During her teaching career, she continued her education earning a Masters degree and 30 additional hours.
She married Jerry Thomas in 1965, and they made their home in Henderson. In addition to their educational careers, she and Jerry also farmed and she worked many of the jobs in the fields.
She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Henderson and had been a Sunday school teacher as well. She was an avid reader and a strong supporter of school sports programs and other school activities.
She is survived by her husband Jerry; a son Jerry (Tammy) Thomas, Jr. of Henderson; one grandson, Taylor John (fiancée Macy Chance) Thomas of Henderson; and two special caregivers Lauren Delaney and Brittany Rowland.
She was preceded in death by brothers, Wayne and Mike Clayton, and a sister, Donna Lofton.
