Gladys Thomas
Gladys Fain Thomas, 94, affectionately called Sue by her friends, passed from this life into the arms of her Lord and Savior on October 22, 2017.
Sue began her Christian service as a teenager and was privileged to fulfill her ministry as a former member of Highland Park Baptist and East Lake Baptist, and as a current member of Brainerd Hills Baptist Church. Through the years she served as a Sunday school teacher, pianist, choir member, Director of Senior Adult Activities and was active on numerous committees. Sue received her education from Chattanooga City High School and the University of Chattanooga, and was still attending the City High Dynamo reunions for the class of 1940. The happiest years of her working career were as office manager and accountant at Custom Mechanical Contractors. She adored her work family and considered working with them a pleasure. Sue also belonged to several civic organizations. She held various offices of leadership in the Opti-Mrs. Of Chattanooga, Freedom’s Foundation at Valley Forge Chattanooga Chapter, and the American Society of Women Accountants.
Sue was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, James Thomas, her parents, Gladys and O.W. Fain and her cherished grandson Gary Waters Jr.
She is survived by her daughters, Debby Thomas Waters Williams and Kendra Thomas Nicholas and her husband Travis. She is also survived by her grandchildren and their spouses, C. Gregory Williams and his wife Jennifer, Ft. Worth Texas, Jason Nicholas and his wife Rachel, Cleveland, TN, Dustin Nicholas, Knoxville, TN, Audrey Nicholas Hartline and her husband Chad, Knoxville, TN; great grandchildren, Patrick Williams and his wife Kitty, Davenport Iowa, Benjamin Williams, Fort Worth, TX, Pfc Matthew Thomas Williams, USMC, San Diego, CA, Perrin Williams, Fort Worth, TX, Noah, Jackson, Josiah, Caleb and Elizabeth Katherine Nicholas, Cleveland, TN, Everett and Levi Hartline, Knoxville, TN; and great-great-grandson, Jaxon Harvey Williams, Fort Worth, TX.
The family wishes to thank the Lighthouse Sunday School Class for their loving care and concern for Gladys.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25, in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home with Dr. Richard Mason and Tony McClanahan officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.
The family will receive friends between 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24, and from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road.
In lieu of flowers, Sue requested a memory gift to the “Beyond Measure Fund” at Brainerd Hills Baptist Church, 6611 East Brainerd Road 37421, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
Visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to view the memorial tribute and share words of comfort with the family.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road.