Vera Opal Arrington Thomas

Mrs. Vera Opal Arrington Thomas, 81, of Mount Airy, passed away Friday, August 8, 2008, at her home. Mrs. Thomas was born June 3, 1927, in Surry County, to the late John D. and Zippora Durham Arrington. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. She was a loving and caring mother and grandmother. She enjoyed working in her flowers and helping others when she was able. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Lou and Jack Lowe of Lowgap and Linda and Chris Lawson of Mount Airy; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Edward and Nancy Thomas, Billy Wayne Thomas and fiancee, Cathy Hamm, and Roger Dale and Mary Ellen Thomas, all of Mount Airy; ten grandchildren, Scott Badgett, Crystal Epperson, Tennille Brown, Lauren Tolbert, Jessica Thomas, Shannon Newman, Ronnie Thomas, Dale Thomas, Trinity Thomas, and Cindy Thomas; four stepgrandchildren, Marc Tickle, Melissa Tickle, Hope Newsome, and Mary Burrows; nineteen great-grandchildren; a sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Harvey Smith; three sisters-in-law, Merle Hull, Opal Thomas, and Helen Nichols; and two brothers-in-law and a spouse, Benton Flippen and James and Mary Ann Thomas. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Thomas was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Edward Thomas; a grandson, Jason Douglas Badgett; two sisters, Allie O'Neal and Lois Flippen; three brothers, Burgie Arrington, Roscoe Arrington, and Johnny Arrington. The funeral service will be held Sunday, August 10, 2008, at 3:30 PM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Noel Hawks, and burial will follow in the Stoney Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 7:00 until 9:00 PM at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions can be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030. The family would like to express their appreciation to the wonderful care given to their mother by a special friend and caregiver, Elza Bowman, Surry Friends of Seniors, and Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care.