James William (Mouse) Thomas, Sr., member of Mill Swamp Baptist Church, honorary lifetime deacon, resident of Isle of Wight County, passed away Friday morning, April 1, 2011 in his home. He was born in Surry County, Virginia on January 26, 1930, the eldest of Joseph and Lily May Thomas' four children. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Ruby T. Brown. He leaves behind to cherish memories of him his beloved wife of 61 years, Betty N. Thomas, four children: Beatrice (Bea) Ray (Noel), James W. (Bill) Thomas, Jr. (Marilyn), Mae Campbell (Charles), and Ruth Gyman (Steve) and thirteen grandchildren: Marcia and James William (JT) Thomas, III; Beatrice (BeaJ) Ray; Betty Jane, Charles, Jr., and Alan Campbell; David, Joseph, Sarah, Rachel, Benjamin, Steven, and Andrew Gyman; his sister, Marian Edwards; his brother, Bobby Thomas; and two aunts: Lucille Berryman, and Evelyn Berryman; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, and loving friends.

God called him home in time for the spring planting. He loved farming, gardening, fishing, and hunting. He enjoyed sharing his vegetables and opinions with anyone and everyone. Each of his children believed that their Dad truly took the commandment to love his wife as Christ loved the Church seriously and set an example for other men. He never met a stranger.

Family night will be Sunday evening at Mill Swamp Baptist Church, 6329 Mill Swamp Rd., Ivor, VA, 23866, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. The family has requested that instead of flowers that you send a donation in honor of him to either Mill Swamp Baptist Church, the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA, 23058, or the American Cancer Society, Isle of Wight Chapter, c/o Pam Jordan, 18214 Farmview Ln., Windsor, VA 23487. The service will be held at Mill Swamp Baptist on Monday, April 4, 2011, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Jim Jones and Rev. Billy Gardner officiating. Interment will follow at Mill Swamp Baptist Church Cemetery. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.