Southampton County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Thomas, R. Wilton, 1918 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ R. WILTON THOMAS Wilton Thomas of Drewryville died at Sarah Leigh Hospital, Norfolk, September 14, after an illness of more than two weeks. The body was carried to his home in Drewryville and the funeral services were held in Thomas Memorial Church Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock, being conducted by the pastor of the deceased, Rev. W. E. Lankford. He was a useful citizen of his community and an energetic young business man, beloved by his neighbors and most considerate in his home life. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. R.W. Thomas, and one child, R.W. Thomas, Jr.; his mother, Mrs. Joshua Leigh, two sisters, Mrs. C.C. Claud and Mrs. J.W. Claud; two brothers, Peter Thomas and William Leigh. The pallbearers were selected from the brothers and cousins of the deceased and a large congregation of friends and neighbors was present to pay the last tribute of respect to his memory by their presence and the beautiful floral tokens which were placed on the grave. ****************************************************************************** ROBERT WILTON THOMAS Brother Thomas was born in Southampton County, Va., April 24, 1895, and died at Sarah Leigh Hospital, Norfolk, Saturday, September 14, 1918. On November 4, 1914, he married Miss Adelaide Harrell, and leaves a widow and one child, who is named for this father. Never has our community been more severely shocked than it was on Saturday morning when a telegram was received by his mother announcing his almost sudden death in Norfolk where he was taken just two days before. Few young men can claim more friends than did our young Brother. Seldom do we find one so generally loved by all the people as he was, and this fact was evidenced by the large crowd that was in attendance at the funeral, and of this number, there were many colored people who held him in high esteem. Brother Thomas was true to all the relations of life. His family was his treasure and on them he lavished his love and they in turn regarded him with the greatest consideration. He was engaged in the mercantile business at his home town, Drewryville. In his business relations he was just and fair to all. Integrity and honor marked every transaction. In his death, Drewryville Lodge of I.O.O.F., No., 270 loses one of its best members. He had been treasurer of the lodge for the past two years and filled the office with honor to himself and credit to the lodge. Many and beautiful were the floral designs given by friends of our brothers and friends of our brother and friend. After the funeral, which was preached by Rev. W.E. Lankford, pastor of the deceased, his body was laid to rest in the Drewryville cemetery by the Odd Fellows and Masons. While we keenly feel the loss, we bow in submission to the Divine will, therefore be it resolved. First, That we shall miss our brother in our lodge and community, but his genial disposition and pleasant smile shall be our inspiration. Second, That we extend to his family, especially his devoted wife and little boy, Christian mother and brothers and sister our sincere and heartfelt sympathy. Third, That a copy of these resolutions be spread on the records of Drewryville I.O.O.F., Nos. 270, one sent to the family and one be printed in the Tidewater News. Jno. A. Kimball,/ S.P. Johnson,/ R.A. Fanny,/ Committee. Robert Wilton THOMAS, Drewryville merchant, b. 24 Apr 1895, Southampton Co., d. 14 Sep 1918, Norfolk, interred in Thomas Memorial Baptist Church Cemetery*, Drewryville, 2 Apr 1985, "The Tidewater News" (Franklin, VA), obit, Sep. 20, 1918, p. 1; "The Tidewater News" (Franklin, VA), Odd Fellows' resolution, Oct. 4, 1918, p. 2 *Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project, Drewryville list (D-26; father, D-25; mother, D-18): http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/cemeteries/drewryvl.txt His widowed mother remarried, and is buried with her second husband. Her obit ("Tidewater News," Nov. 3, 1955, Sect. I, p. 8) is posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/obits/l200n2ob.txt His marriage record - Robert Wilton Thomas, 19, s, So.Co., So.Co., Clerk, s/o John Randolph Thomas and Nannie Moore Turner Thomas Leigh m. 11-04-1914 Drewryville, So.Co., Va. by Rev. W.E. Lankford Bertha Adelaide Harrell, 19, s, Gates, N.C., So.Co., d/o William J. and Annie L. Harrell (Southampton Co. MB15:495; transcribed & annotated by Bruce Saunders) 170. m. 11/04/1914, Southampton Co., by W.E. Lankford R.W. Thomas, 19, single, b. & res. Southampton Co., s/o J.R. Thomas & N. Leigh, Clerk Berta A. Harrell, 19, single, b. Gates Co., N.C., res. Southampton Co., dt/o Wm.J. & A.L. Harrell (Southampton Co. M.Reg. {BVS copy}; file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/vitals/mb15pt.txt) Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Mrs. Bruce Saunders (bs4403@verizon.net), and re-formatted by File Manager. file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/obits/t520w1ob.txt