Ted Thomas

Ted Thomas, 84, of Jonesboro, died Saturday, April 10, 2021, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House.  He was born in the Mangrum Community and moved to Jonesboro from the Lepanto area in 1977. He was a member of the Southwest Church of Christ.  Some interesting facts about Ted, or Daddy Ted, as he was referred to once he had grandchildren, was he was an avid Cardinal Baseball fan.  He loved and supported his grandchildren in all of their activities, and especially teaching the fundamentals of sports so they could play at the best of their ability.  He was a farmer for many years, when possible, he served as a sheriff’s deputy.  He also served his community as a Craighead County Bailiff, and was a Constable for Craighead County.  Ted was an accomplished cook, and his specialty the family always requested was his chicken and dressing.  In Ted’s younger years, he spent every summer at Greer’s Ferry teaching all of his family to ski and enjoy the water.  He had a love for animals and he raised and rode horses for many years. Flying was a hobby and he always enjoyed to be in the air.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Felbert and Olita Thomas, one brother, Roy Lee Thomas and a great granddaughter, Blakely Thomas.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Helen Thomas, of the home; son, Doug Thomas and wife Allyce of Jonesboro; daughter, Deanna Phillips and husband Shelby of Lake City; brother, Eddie Thomas and wife Onita of Jonesboro; grandchildren, Sarah Phillips Yarnell and husband, Tim; Jordan Phillips and wife Bethanie; Aaron Thomas and wife, Jordan; Nash Thomas and wife, Abby; great grandchildren, Anna Yarnell, Warren Phillips and Edith Phillips and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 11:00 Monday, April 12, 2021, at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Jimmy Adcox officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery with Jordan Phillips, Aaron Thomas, Nash Thomas, Kirkley Thomas, Bryan Hook and Tim Yarnell serving as pallbearers.  Honorary pallbearers are Harold Bowden, Richard Nutt, Gary Earnhart, Cagle Huff, Eddie Lyons, Bill Shirley, Tom Nesmith, Steve Doty, Ernie Walker, P.L. Lewis, Ken Starnes, and Henry Dean Finch.  Visitation will be from 10:00 until service time.

For lasting memorials, please consider the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, 1148 E. Matthews, Jonesboro, Arkansas, 72401.  To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.