07/30/2026
Walter Thomas departed this life on Saturday, July 25, 226 at Carpenter House in Shreveport. He was born on February 02, 1943 in Center, Texas to the late Adline and Jessie Thomas.
Funeral service is at 11am on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 96 CR 4356, Tenaha, Texas with Rev. Johnny Jones, Pastor; Pastor Bryon Coutee, Jr., Officiant; and Pastor Johnnie Johnson, Eulogist. Visitation is from 10am until 6pm Friday, July 31, 2026, at Community Funeral Home Chapel in Center. Interment is at Pleasant Grove Cemetery.
Walter a beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, and friend attended school at Jericho. He became a truck driver and retired in 2009. He had many passions, driving was one of them.
Walter was an avid fisherman (not on a professional level), it was just something he really loved to do. If the weather and time was right, you could definitely find him somewhere casting out two, maybe even three lines. If Walter was not fishing, he would usually be out in the yard doing something. He would mower, pick the weeds out of his grass, watch cars pass by so that he could wave at people. Walter was a dance machine for those that didn't know, you could put on green onions and he would do his magic. He was the life of nay and all parties, and loved to get on the dominos table. You could catch him on Sunday evening watching western. Walter had an open mind and kind heart. He loved people and gave them no judgement just plenty of laughs and conversation. Walter never met a stranger, he was always helping others in anyway he could. His most important and joyous title was being called Pawpaw by all the grandkids. Lastly, he loved singing in the Blount Chapel Baptist Church Choir.
Walter was united in Holy Matrimony to Edith Mae Sanders on February 10, 1973. To this union four children were born. They celebrated 53 years of marital bliss together.
Walter is now reunited with his mother and father, Adline and Jessie Thomas; brothers, Robert Earl Thomas, Willie Rellford; and sisters, Vera Lee Garrett, Mary Williams, Katherine Nicholas, Jessie Lee Clark, Jessie Mae Barton, Velma Higgins, and Nannie Lee Thomas.
Walter leaves to cherish his memories:
Wife, Edith Mae Thomas
Daughter, Candace Thomas
Sons:
Kelvin Barnes of Center
Alex Thomas (Donna) of Center
Eldric Thomas of Center
Jeremaine Thomas (Ashley) of Center
Sisters:
Debra K. Thomas of Longview
Kathy Thomas of Philadelphia, PA
Brother, John A. Thomas of Texas City
Special auntie, Ozell Garrett
Sisters-in-law:
Belinda Rellford of Mansfield, LA
Elaine Greer of Tenaha
Patry Casey of Tenaha
Joyce Garrett (Jackie) of Beaumont
God-child, JaCobe Garrett
Brother-in-law, Rodrick Ratcliff
Special friend, James Willie Moore of Tenaha
Grandchildren:
Natasha (Kareem) Rashid
Shakobe Bell
Brianna Thomas
Kalina Ghomas
Jaylen Thomas
Elijah Thomas
Kam Thomas
Akyia Thomas
Charmaine Thomas
Walter Jr.
Cookie Lyrique Thomas
King Braxton I
Brielle and Braylon Page-Williams
He had a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Services are entrusted to Community Funeral Home, Center, Texas.
