Annette Thomas

“Serve Jehovah”.  These two words exemplify the meaning of life for Annette Thomas.  Those that knew her as a friend, teacher, helper, sister, wife, mother, or advisor know that her constant request, spoken through the many Bible verses that she shared was to “Serve Jehovah”.  Annette had a way of listening intently and offering comforting advice that was given with an infectious smile, a full laugh, and a tear or two if needed, that always led back to one message… Serve Jehovah.

You would never know by her countenance, but Annette had a somewhat difficult childhood. Her mother Ada Tynes passed away when she was only 4 years old.  Sadly, she had only a few memories of her mother and no pictures.  Annette, her twin sister Jeanette, and the younger remaining Tynes children along with other cousins, were raised by her paternal Aunt.  She spoke of a life as a child with little care or attention.  For many this would become a reason to be resentful or uncaring.  However, she was very lucky to have an older sister Emma Ingram (deceased) who lived in Buffalo, NY at the time, who was a surrogate mother and close friend to her and a grandmother figure to her children.

To ask Annette, her life really began in July 1968 in Detroit, Michigan when she was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses.  From that moment on she was blessed to gain lifelong Witness friends in Detroit, Michigan, Elkhart, IN, and many other places.  She was able to travel to Europe and Hawaii and share great experiences with her witness friends.  One thing that I know she is excited about is reuniting with her oldest son Tyrone Thomas and daughter Anita Thomas and her witness friends to a fully restored paradise on earth.  To all others that are still here in this current system she would simply say…

”Serve Jehovah!”

Below are the details of Annette Thomas’ earthly life. How lucky we have been to have her light and love in our life.  To all that want to see her again I know what message she would leave… Serve Jehovah.

Annette Thomas, age 79, of Elkhart passed away on Monday December 21, 2020 at Goshen Hospital. Annette was born on May 24, 1941 Smithfield, Isle of Wight County (Smithfield), Virginia to Clarence E. and Ada Tynes.

Annette attended Huntington High School in Newport News. Virginia. She was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She worked primarily for Elkhart Community schools.

Annette is survived by her children, Steven “DeAngelo” Thomas, Harrell “Duke” Thomas, Sonia “Sunny” Thomas, and Clarence Thomas all of Elkhart, IN.  She also had 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Annette was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Tyrone Thomas, her daughter, Anita Thomas and her brothers and sisters.

Services for Annette will be streamed in real time at 2pm Saturday, January 2, 2021 at the following zoom meeting ID: 891 6989 9531 Passcode:779448.  Memorial donations in memory of Annette may be made to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses at www.jw.org.    Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46541 is assisting the Thomas family. Online condolences may be made to the Thomas family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com