Obituary of Merlin Thomas

Funeral services for Mr. Merlin Thomas, 84, of Bastrop, La. will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 14, 2006 at the Chapel of Golden Funeral Home with Rev. Cal Adams officiating. Interment will follow in Liberty Cemetery (Linville, La.) under the direction of Golden Funeral Home. Mr. Thomas, a retired employee of International Paper Company and faithful member of Cherry Ridge Baptist Church passed away, Thursday, January 12, 2006 at the Le Grand Health Center. He is survived by his wife, Ernestine Thomas; two daughters, Judy Tate and husband Ernest of Denham Springs, LA, Gail Joiner and husband Chuck of West Monroe, LA; sister, Mary Reynolds of Jasper, TX; six grandchildren, Joey Bennett, Greg Bennett, Jeff Tate, Jennifer Antie, Eddie Johnson, Eric Johnson and twelve great grandchildren. Mr. Thomas is preceded in death by his daughter, Joan Hart; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Otis Thomas; brothers, Jack Lee, O.B., Lawton and Edward Thomas and a sister, Irea Reppond. Serving as pallbearers are: Charles Burns, Woodrow Wilson, Greg Bennett, Eddie Johnson, Eric Johnson and Jeff Tate. Honorary pallbearers are: Dr. Robert Lyon, Jack Spigner and Dr. Joey Bennett. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, January 13, 2006 at Golden Funeral Home. The family requests that memorial contribution be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to Cherry Ridge Baptist Church.