Thomas Edward Thornhill

Thomas Edward Thornhill was born August 27, 1939 to Harriette Simon and Hubert Thornhill in Lynchburg, Virginia. Thomas graduated from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in 1957. He attended Fifth Street Baptist Church also in Lynchburg. After completing high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1962. Following boot camp graduation, he was stationed at the Portland Air base serving his country for his entire four years of tour of duty.

While serving in the military, Thomas met and married Sharon Turner, the love of his life, on February 26, 1966. They were joined in holy matrimony at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. A.A. Newton. They were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Sandra Kay. In 1990, Thomas united with New Hope Baptist Church surrendering his life to Jesus Christ. He loved reading his Holy Bible! He served as one of the Sunday School teachers and also served as one of the teachers for the Men‘s class and also the combined Men’s and Women’s Sunday School class. He completed his Deacon’s training but due to an onset of health challenges, was not ordained. One lasting memory that Sharon will always recall is how every morning, Tom would arise from sleep and then sit in his chair and pray! In fervent prayer, Tom would call each person by name, asking God’s special blessings for family, friends and those he deeply cared for. Thomas loved following the car racing circuit, Nascar and the Indy 500. He and his daughter, Sandra Kay traveled to numerous auto car shows, with Sandra serving as his personal chauffeur. He thoroughly enjoyed watching professional basketball and football games and cheering on his favorite teams. Thomas will always be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his father (Hubert), mother (Harriette), brother, Clarence, twin brothers: Hubert and Herbert. He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving and devoted wife, Sharon, daughter Sandra Kay (Thomas) Faison; grandchildren, Tauretta McCray of Savannah, Georgia, Tamika (Jerell) Campbell, Gary (Jenny) Roper, Jr.; great-grandchildren, DeMarques Singleton, Jr., Kimara Matthews, KyJana Jordan, Samarie Roper, Kajsa Spain and Nathaniel Nelson. Godchildren: Barbara and Stanley Walton, Rev. Sam and Corliss King, Nyasha Hopson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Thomas loved his family and his friends.
He was a man of peace and a true gentleman!

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