Edith Beryl Thomas

Edith Beryl Beaver Thomas, age 97 of Blairsville, formerly of the Hemptown Community, passed away Sunday, March 9, 2014 at Stonehenge Assisted Living Center in Blairsville. Mrs. Thomas was born April 20, 1916 in Morganton, GA to the late Crawford W. Beaver and the late Bessie Laura Ammons Beaver.

Mrs. Thomas taught in the Fannin County School System for over 44 years at Hurst, Hipps Chapel, Mobile, Salem and Morganton. The majority of her years of teaching were the 2nd grade at Morganton Elementary. She taught generations of Fannin County students and had an influence on an innumerable amount of lives of children in Fannin County. A gentleman recently visited Stonehenge Assisted Care and saw Edith. He came over and remembered her as his 1st grade teacher in Hurst. The man was 82 years old.

Mrs. Thomas graduated from Fannin Co. High School in 1933 and Young Harris College in 1935. She later went on to North Georgia College and completed her Bachelor's Degree in Education in 1961. She loved to travel, go fishing with George, read, spend time with her family and friends, and tending her flower garden at her home in Hemptown. Her favorite flowers were roses. She was a member of Hemptown Baptist Church. She taught Sunday School and sang in the choir there for many years. She is also a member of the GA Retired Teachers Association.

Mrs. Thomas was also very adventurous. She rode horses in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming, went to the bottom of the Grand Canyon on a donkey, and rode a bi-plane over downtown Atlanta in 1934. She also attended the premiere of "Gone with the Wind" in Atlanta at the Fox Theatre in 1939.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George Verlin Thomas, and her Brothers; Charles Beaver, Kenneth Beaver, and Marvin Beaver, also her Sisters; Lucille Craig, Geraldine Pope, and Dorothy Carey, in addition to her parents.

Survivors include: children, Elizabeth (John) Reece of Gainesville, GA, Mary Frances Shiels of Norcross, GA, Tom (Barbara) Quintrell of Dawsonville, GA, David Quintrell of Morganton, GA, John "Buzz" (Anne) Quintrell of Mineral Bluff, GA and, James (Kathy) Thomas of Pinedale, WY. 11 Grandchildren include; Kevin Quintrell, Brandon Quintrell, Barry (Pam) Reece, Lisa (Eric) Douglas, Renee (John) Livingstone, Rebecca (Jason) Hicks, Brian Shiels, Suzanne (Clint) Rogers, Jessica Thomas, Karmen Mervine, and Terry Thomas. 16 Great-Grandchildren include; Chelsea Quintrell, Courtney Reece, Cayla Reece, Cara Reece, Cory Reece, Joey Daniel, Laura Ann Douglas, Amanda Livingstone, Thomas Livingstone, Matthew Rogers, Lindsey Rogers, Gavin Mervine, Ryley Mervine, Garret Mervine, Kathryn Hicks, and Whitney Hicks. 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren include; Aiden Daniel and Ansley Daniel. Also surviving are Sister; Helen Allen, and Brother; Larry (Brenda) Beaver.

Funeral services are to be Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 1:00 pm at the Hemptown Baptist Church with the Rev. Gerald Mathis and Rev. James Howard Galloway officiating. Music will be provided by Marilyn Thomas. Graveside services will follow in the church cemetery with Rev. David Whitener officiating. Pallbearers include; Kevin Quintrell, Brandon Quintrell, Terry Thomas, Barry Reece, Robert Craig and David Thomas.

The family will receive friends at the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, Tuesday, March 11, 2014 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm.

Arrangements entrusted to the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com
Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made in memory of Edith, to Stonehenge Assisted Living Center, at 168 Stonehenge Drive, in Blairsville, GA., http://www.stonehengeassistedliving.com (706) 745-7703 or Hemptown Baptist Church http://www.hemptownbaptist.org.