Grace Alleene Thomas

Grace Willson Thomas, age 93, a longtime resident of Benton, TN, passed away Thursday, April 27, 2006 in Life Care Center in Cleveland, TN. She was a member of the Benton United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl J. Thomas. She was also preceded in death by her parents: Robert and Annie Hibberts Willson and three sisters, Beulah Willson, Ruth Willson and Leta Boyd.

She is survived by five daughters: Joyce Thomas Waits of Austin, TX, Betty Sue Thomas of Benton, Kay Thomas Green of Benton, Adeline Thomas Collins of Dunedin, FL and Linda Thomas Perdue of Alexandria, VA; two sisters, Veta Willson Rogers of Cleveland and Robbie Willson Rogers of Benton; two brothers, Richard T. Willson and William W. Willson of Cleveland; eleven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the Benton United Methodist Church with Reverend Mat Merker officiating. Interment will follow in the Mount Hermon Cemetery with the release of a flock of white doves concluding the service. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Her family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Saturday at Higgins Funeral Home. The family will also receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Sunday at the church prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Benton United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer's Association Southeast Tennessee Chapter, 735 Broad Street, Suite 300, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Thomas family guestbook at www.higginsfuneral.com.