Johnnie Thomas

WEST COLUMBIA: Johnnie Pope Thomas, 80, of West Columbia, S.C., passed away December 10, 2012. He was born August 16, 1932 in Heidelberg, Mississippi to the late Clarence Smiley Thomas and Mary Grace Pope Thomas. He graduated from Heidelberg High School in 1952, where in his senior year, he was one of two people from Jasper County chosen to be on the State All Star Football Team. He went to Jones County Jr. College on a football scholarship before joining the army in October 1953 and becoming a military policeman. While at Fort Jackson, he met Addie Jo Hook and they were married November 6, 1954. They had three girls and three boys. In January 1956, Shonnie was their first child, then followed Timmy (Astrida Rhodes), Vikki (Don Hill), Toni (Barry Shelton), Mike, now deceased, (Lynne Frierson), and Rocky (Rachel Zeigler). There are nine grandchildren; Tori Smith (Charlie), Ryan Thomas, Lauren Thomas, Jason Williams, Hannah Hunnicutt, Alyssa Hewitt (Jimmy), Amy Thomas, Thomas Shelton, and Jordan Thomas. There are seven great grandchildren; Landon and Aidan Smith, Ashton and Colton Thomas, Peyton Hewitt, Lena Jo Butler, and Milo Slevin. Johnnie is also survived by his sister, Linda Boulton (Bill), and a number of cousins, nieces, and nephews. In addition to his parents and son, he was predeceased by his three brothers; Alax, Gilbert and Larry. In 1955, Johnnie started working for and became president of V.B. Hook Vacuum Cooling Company in West Columbia. The family will be receiving friends Tuesday, December 11, from 6:00-8:00 pm, at Thompson Funeral Home in Lexington at 4720 Augusta Road. The funeral service will be Wednesday, December 12, at 2:30 at Brookland United Methodist Church in West Columbia, where he was a longtime member. Pastor J. Wayne Smith, Jr. will be officiating. Serving as active pallbearers will be Ronny Thomas, Tom and Bruce Boulton, Marty Hook, Wally Gantt, Tom Liles, Randy Frierson, and Jamie Reaves. Honorary pallbearers will be Couples for Christ Sunday School Class, past and present truck drivers and shop workers from V.B. Hook Company, Noah Francis, Mickey and Todd Gates, and Chip Houser. Entombment will follow at Southland Mausoleum at 700 West Dunbar Road, West Columbia. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Brookland United Methodist Church, 541 Meeting Street, West Columbia, SC 29169, or to a charity of one's choice.