By Staff
Brewton
Mrs. Bessie M. Riley Thomas, 78, died Friday, Jan. 14, 2005 at a local hospital. She was a native of Freemanville and a resident of Wilcox County before moving to Brewton. She was an active member of First Saint Siloam Baptist Church before her health failed. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tommy Thomas; her brother, George Powe; two step-sons, Eddie Peavy and Thomas Thomas Jr. and one great-great grandson, Walter Hodges Jr.
She is survived by a daughter, Nola Mae (Theodore) Watts of Century; a son, Tommie Lee "Dogg" Thomas of Brewton; a sister-in-law, Mattie Coleman of Brewton; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; seven step-children; a niece, Mattie R. Thomas; two friends, K.C. Watson and Kate Spears, both of Brewton; a god sister, Sally Jenkins of Port St. Joe, Fla. and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Jan. 20, at 1 p.m. at First Saint Siloam Baptist Church with Dr. H.B. King officiating. Burial followed at Piney Grove Cemetery with Presley-Fluker Funeral Home directing.