STONEVILLE — Delores Nelson Thomas, 77, passed away Saturday, November 24, 2012, at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro.
An 11 a.m. Graveside service will be held Wednesday, November 28, 2012, at Mayodan Municipal Cemetery with Rev. Benny Wood and Rev. Calvin Adams officiating.
A Rockingham County (Mayodan) native Delores was born January 16, 1935, the youngest of nine children born to Thomas and Minnie Ellis Nelson. She was a member of Tri-City Baptist Church of Stoneville, where she enjoyed singing solo's. She truly loved her church.
Delores retired from Stoneville Furniture and previously had worked at Fieldcrest Mills.
In addition to her parents Delores was preceded in death by her 1st husband, William Leonard Joyce; grandson, William Lawrence Lemons, III,; five sisters and three brothers; step-son, James Darwin Thomas.
Delores is survived by her husband Luther Calvin Thomas of the home; nine children, Cynthia Privette, of Ridgeway, VA, Billie Zuniga of Eden, Robert "Bob" Joyce of Atlanta, GA, Denise Martin of Martinsville, VA, William "Gooney" Joyce of Mayodan, Belinda "Lindy" Corum of Eden, Donna Allen of Eden, Michael Joyce of Eden and Mickey Joyce of Eden; step-son, Benny Joe Lester Thomas; 16 grandchildren, three step-grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; four step-great grandchildren.
Delores loved being a wife, mother and all the joys of being a woman. Her greatest wish in life was for all of her children to be saved.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 27, 2012, at Ray Funeral Home and other times at the family home.
Online condolences may be sent to www.rayfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to The Gideon's International, P.O. Box 104 Mayodan, NC 27027.
Ray Funeral Home in Madison is serving the Thomas family.
