Obituaries:  Octavia Thomas, Sabine Parish       T-520
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Dec 1, 1977
Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck
              carlrad@earthlink.net




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Octavia Thomas (Photo)

  A 7 year old Nacogdoches, Tex., girl, who was en route back to
Fort Polk with her parents and brothers and sisters, was listed
as Sabine Parish's 12th fatality on Sunday night, Nov. 27,
following a truck-car collision on Highway 171, south of Many, at
the Lyddy Turnpike, better known as the Boise Southern Woodyard
Road. Investigating the accident, which severely injured five,
was Trooper James D. Napier of Troop H.

  According to Trooper Napier, an International truck, owned by
Conrad Cathey Trucking Co., and driven by 29 year old Marvin Mims
of Many, was pulling out onto the highway from the Woodyard Road,
when the accident occurred. Mims stated to Trooper Napier, that
he saw the southbound vehicle coming, but thought he had time to
complete his turn.

  The vehicle, a 1973 Dodge, driven by Cleophus Thomas, 26, of
Nacogdoches, Tex., hit the trailer wheels on the left hand side,
and spun around.

  Passengers inside the vehicle were Octavia Thomas, 7, Tonue
Brown, 10, Cassius Thomas, 4, Katy Thomas, 24, and Sylvester
Brown, 8. All were severely injured, and were suffering from
lacerations, head injuries, and possible internal injuries.

  The father, Cleophus Thomas, and his daughter, Octavia, were
rushed to Fraser Hospital in Many. Octavia died at the hospital a
little while later.

  The mother and the other children were rushed to Many Hospital
by the Many Rescue Squad Ambulance. After emergency medical
treatment, they were all airlifted to a Shreveport Hospital by
the MAST helicopter from Fort Polk. When the helicopter was en
route back to Fort Polk, it stopped in Many, and loaded the
father into the copter, and took him back to the Army Hospital.

  Following the child's death, Trooper Napier arrested Mims, and
charged him with negligent homicide. Mims was booked into the
Sabine Parish Jail. Bond has not been set Monday.

  According to Trooper Napier, the truck did not have any trailer
lights. Other violations included an invalid inspection sticker
on the truck, no license plates on the truck, and Mims didn't
have his drivers license with him at the time if the wreck.

  Trooper Napier praised local law enforcement agencies, including
Florien Police Dept., the Many Police Dept., and Fisher Police
Dept., the Many Rescue Squad, and the Sabine Parish Sheriff's
Dept., for offering assistance during the investigation.

  "Without their help, it would have been a total mess down
there," Napier stated. "I really appreciate everyone coming out
and assisting."

  As of press time Wednesday, the three children, Tonue Brown,
Sylvester Brown, and Cassius Thomas, had been transferred to the
Fort Polk Army Hospital, where their father is still a patient.
Mrs. Brown is still in a Shreveport hospital. The family members
are all listed in stable condition, according to a family member
from Nacogdoches, Tex.

  Funeral services for young Octavia Thomas are under the
direction of the O. Sadler Funeral Home in Nacogdoches, Tex. She
had just celebrated her 7th birthday on Saturday, the day before
her life was tragically ended.