Robert Lavelle Thomas
Visitation was held at the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, Mississippi on Saturday October 22 at 11:00 a.m. Celebration of Life began at 1:00 p.m.
Mr. Thomas, 79, of Philadelphia, died October 18, 2022 at Neshoba General Hospital.
He was born December 16, 1942 in Philadelphia, Mississippi to Hermon Thomas and Flora Lundy Thomas. Robert was a graduate of Philadelphia High School and a guard on the Tornadoes 1958 basketball state champion team. He then attended East Central Community College where he became a first team All-American Junior College Basketball Selection and was able to play in the Junior College National All-Star Game in Oklahoma. From there he attended Delta State University to continue his love of basketball and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1964. After graduating, he embarked on a successful teaching and basketball coaching career throughout the State of Mississippi in Tunica, Drew, and Magee. During his coaching career he was selected as the Coach of the North Mississippi All-Star Squad in 1969. While still coaching and teaching in Magee, he enrolled in the Jackson School of Law, where he graduated, Cum Laude, on August 30, 1974. He was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in April 1975 and returned to Philadelphia to join the law firm of Alford, Mars and Thomas and was excited to welcome his grandson, Robert Lee Thomas into the firm of Alford, Thomas & Thomas and practiced with him for the past six years. He practiced his entire legal career in his beloved home of Philadelphia and Neshoba County.
During his career he represented thousands of clients and had decades of service to the Community of Philadelphia, including the opportunity to serve as City Attorney for Philadelphia, Neshoba Central School District, Philadelphia Utilities, the Neshoba County Fair Association, as a Justice Court Judge and as a member of the Rotary Club. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia where he served as a deacon, a dedicated member of the sanctuary choir and as a member in the Standing Firm Quartet. He was a member of the Gideons International Society. He had many hobbies and interests including music, all types of sports, particularly basketball, golf and baseball. He was an avid lover of pets, including participating in trail riding and showing Tennessee Walking Horses. He had a lifelong love of the Neshoba County Fair. He was Inducted into the East Central Community College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002 and served as the President of The Tennessee Walking Horse Association. He was known by many as a teacher, mentor, coach, friend but no title was more important to him than Dad and Papa T. He was incredibly proud of his family, his community and his profession.
He is survived by his wife, Florence “Weegie” Thomas, his son, Anthony Thomas MD (Suzanne) of Meridian, three stepchildren, Rick (Denise) Coker of Norfork, Arkansas, Greg (Heather) Coker of West Point, Mississippi, and Tina (Tommy) Lamb of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; three grandchildren, Robert (Katie) Thomas of Philadelphia, Mississippi, Harrison (Susannah) Thomas of Huntsville, Alabama, Caroline Janne (Benton) Estes of Huntsville, Alabama; ten step-grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and thirteen step-great-grandchildren; siblings, Helen Blalock of Clinton, Mississippi and Darrell (Cathy) Thomas of Mobile, Alabama; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Janne Alford Thomas, and sister, Lillian Killen.
In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to: First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, Mississippi Music Ministry or to the Gideons International Ministry.