Grace D. Thomas was born on May 3, 1936, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Richard (Bertha) Dyer in Newton County. She was the sixth of nine children.

At an early age, she found Christ at Springfield Baptist Church on Almon Road in Covington. Grace retired from Bibb Manufacturing after 30-plus years of dedicated work.

God sent an angel to call our beloved mother home on Oct. 17, 2017. She is preceded in death by one daughter, Stephanie Hammonds; three grandchildren, Ricky Horton, Jr., Joseph Hicks, Jr. and Javaris Hicks; two brothers, Robert Dyer and Horace Bennett; three sisters, Beatrice Moody, Sarah Ingram and Daisy Carter.

She leaves to cherish her memories, four daughters, Mr. & Mrs. Willie (Denise) Shepherd, Mr. & Mrs. John (Shelia) Perry, Mr. & Mrs. Ricky (Gurlie) Horton, Sr. and Mr. & Mrs. Joseph (Keisha) Hicks; three sons, Mr. Walter Thompson, Mr. Mr. Blawin Thompson and Mr. & Mrs. James (Carol) Thomas; one devoted grandson, Junorris Hammonds; 20 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ms. Mittie Dyer and Ms. Gurlie Dyer; one brother, Mr. & Mrs. Homer (Sarah) Dyer and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  

Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 23, 2017 at 1 p.m. at Springfield Missionary Baptist Church, at 4606 Springfield Drive, in Newborn, with Rev. Jerry F. Stokes and Elder Keisha Hubert officiating.