The Rev. Edward Ronald Thomas, age 77, passed from this life and into the presence of his Savior on the morning of Tuesday, April 2, 2024. A visitation will be held on Friday, April 5, 2024, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at Messmer Goodwin Funeral Home, with the funeral service following at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel. Curtis Calfee and Michael Thomas will officiate the service. Honorary pall bearers assisting during the close of the service will be Keith Thomas, Kevin Thomas, Andrew Thomas, Chayse Thomas, Connor Thomas, Hunter Wallace, Michael Driskell, and Lynn Lowe.

Ed spent over 50 years as an over-the-road truck driver and bi-vocational pastor, serving multiple churches and congregations across central Alabama. He was a resident of Tallapoosa County for over 20 years. Rev. Thomas was a devoted servant of the Lord, and he continued to preach and teach God's word long after he retired from pastoral duties. Even while in the nursing home at TLC in Oneonta, he continued to perform a weekly Bible study until his declining health forced him to stop in early 2024.

Rev. Edward Thomas was preceded in death by his devoted and beloved wife, Julia Thomas; his father and mother, Walter and Maggie Thomas; his adored nephew, Shawn Lowe; and brothers-in-law, Thomas Lowe and Kenny Blackburn.

He is survived by his 4 children; Denise (Michael) Driskell, Kevin Thomas, Keith (fiance' Carol Snyder) Thomas, and Anita Pitts. Grandchildren; Andrew Thomas, Hunter (Ashleigh) Wallace, Amy Grace Pitts (fiance' Austin Hardman), Connor Thomas, Chayse Thomas, Caylee Thomas, and Carley Thomas. Great-grandchildren; Liam Thomas and Benjamin Thomas. Sisters; Brenda Lowe, Janice (Curtis) Calfee and Patricia Crumpton. Brother; Michael (Jane) Thomas. Close family friend, Nita Burns. He is also survived by a myriad of much adored nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends from Alabama to Indiana and beyond.

Since there will not be an immediate interment, the family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a church of your choice or a favorite charity in memory of Rev. Edward Thomas.