Evelyn Dorris Thomas

Evelyn Hammett Thomas, age 100, passed away Sunday morning January 6th in Gordon Hospital. Evelyn was born October 30, 1912 in Fulton County, daughter of the late George Washington Hammett and Edna Ivey Hammett. She was a graduate of the Girls High School,Class of 1930; attended the High Museum of Art and studied engineering drafting at Georgia Tech. Evelyn was a clerk in her father’s furniture store until the beginning of World War II when she became a mechanical draftsman’s for the United States Army. She met and married her husband J.W. Thomas in 1943, soon after J.W. was sent to the front lines in the European Theater where he was captured and held as a prisoner of war until war’s end. After returning they moved to J.W.’s home in Gordon County and bought the funeral business of Dick Jackson, together they owned and operated Thomas Funeral Home in the old Dr. Richards home in downtown Calhoun until 1987. The moved to its present location at 535 Red Bud Road in August 1987. Their son Bruce joined them in the family business in 1970. She was from the very beginning a active member of the community, always proud of the fact that she gave her life to the Lord at age 11. She became a member of the Calhoun First Baptist Church in Decemnber 1945. She served as a Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent of the Junior Department, and help organize and teach the Ruth Sunday School Class. She was past-president of the Missionary Society and organized the women in the church to make Christmas Ornaments for the Christmas Tree which became a yearly celebration of Christ’s birth. Dedicated to helping others she was past-president of the Sequoyah Garden Club and was awarded life membership in the Garden Club of Georgia. As a member of the Beautification Committee, she help to beautify downtown Calhoun. Evelyn was a member of the Calhoun Women’s Club and a charter member of the Historical Society, past-president of the WMU, the PTA, the Band Boosters, and the American Legion’s Auxiliary. For those who knew Evelyn, they know that she was an accomplished painter first with china and then with oil,water colors, pastels, and charcoal. Her paintings still adorn the walls of the funeral home. She had a number of showings and was a first place winner with the Georgia Women’s Club and second place with her oil painting at the national convention. She was preceded in death by her husband J.W. Thomas, three sisters, Sara Hammett Jordon, Charlotte Hammett Wilson, and Marie Hammett Meadows, one niece Elise Smiley and one nephew Don Wilson. Survivors include her son, Bruce G. Thomas and his wife Sue Ellen, two granddaughters, Sarah and Stephanie Thomas, one grandson, Gregory Thomas all of Calhoun. Two nieces, Carol Murphy and her husband Mike of Breman and Beverly Wilson of Roswell, one nephew, Allen Meadows and his wife LaNeva of Temple. Several great nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, January 8th at 1:00pm from the Calhoun First Baptist Church with Dr. Bert Vaughn and Dr. John Bledsoe officiating. Music will be arranged by Carolyn Thompson. Burial will follow in Fain Cemetery. Evelyn will lie in state at the church on Tuesday from 12 until the funeral hour at the church. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 4 until 8pm at the funeral home. You may send condolences to the family at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements for Mrs. Evelyn Hammett Thomas.