Charles Thomas

of Evening Shade, Arkansas

Charles B. Thomas was born on August 16th, 1926 in Izard County, Arkansas. He died on January 13th, 2019 in Wooster, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eldon and Elsie Thomas; three brothers, Elmer Thomas, Earl Thomas and John Thomas; three sisters, Zelma Traylor, Berniece Reidelberger and Eudean Rife. He is survived by his beloved wife of seventy years, Almeda Thomas; two daughters, Linda Charlene Honeycutt and Donna Thomas; two grandsons, Freddy Honeycutt and Shane Honeycutt; two granddaughters, Deanna Reynolds and Cadence Valentine; one brother, Van Thomas; one sister, Treva Thomas; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Charles grew up on a farm in Izard County, near Evening Shade. He went into the Navy in 1944. He served aboard a destroyer, the USS Hunt, during World War II, in the Pacific Ocean Theater. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and the World War II Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal. He returned home from the Navy in 1947. He bought a small farm in Izard County and married his lifelong love, Almeda Herron of Franklin, Arkansas, in 1948. Charles raised polled herefords and worked construction until he retired. After retirement, he took great joy in raising fine Missouri Fox Trotters and Saddle horses. He was very active and loved being outdoors and spending time with family and friends. Charles will be greatly missed by all. A special thank you to Van and Nancy Thomas who spent many Sundays with Charles and Almeda, making their day brighter.

Services will be held Friday, January 18th, 2019, at Eddie's Family Funeral Home in Melbourne, Arkansas, at two o'clock in the afternoon with David Jennings officiating. Visitation will begin at one o'clock. Burial with Navy Honors will be at the Godwin Cemetery, near Myron, Arkansas. Memorials may be made, in Charles's name, to the Arthritis Foundation of Arkansas, 10 Corporate Hill Drive, #220, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205.

Pallbearers:  Billy Jack Lankford, Daniel Stout, Levarn Herron, Dean Batterton, Gary Shell, Clint Bailey.

Honorary Pallbearers:  Richard Downing, Kohn Batterton, Michael Thomas, Frank Herron, Dean Billingsley, Mark Herrington.