Claire Flowers Varnedoe Thomas, 89, of Thomasville, Georgia died peacefully February 9, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was born and raised in Thomasville and was the daughter of Heeth Varnedoe, Jr and Claire Flewellyn Flowers Varnedoe - both of Thomasville.
Claire graduated from Thomasville High School in 1952, attended Huntingdon College, The University of Maine, and The University of Georgia, graduating with a degree in Education in 1956. In college, Claire was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority.
As a teacher, her primary professional role centered around Adult Basic and Remedial High School Education.
Upon retiring to Thomasville, she was an active member of The First Presbyterian Church of Thomasville. Claire was a Master Gardener and served on various civic committees focusing on the beautification of her beloved Thomasville. She was the past president of the Board of Directors of the Thomasville History Center, past Thomasville Town Chair of The Colonial Dames of America, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the past Chairman of the Thomasville Antique Show, Patron of the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation, and past president of the Rambling Rose Garden Club.
Claire was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, James Kellett Thomas III. She is survived by her two children: Claire Thomas Timm of Thomasville and Kellett Varnedoe Thomas and wife Adrea Morar Thomas of Lexington, Virginia. She was well loved by eight grandchildren: Hampton James Timm and wife Melissa Noel Schafer Timm, Claire Flowers Timm Rodrigues and husband Matthew Lima Rodrigues, Margaret Howard Timm and fiancé Cody Russell Jakes, Sheffield Heeth Timm, William Kellett Thomas and wife Mary Elizabeth Nuttall Thomas, Jonathan Heeth Thomas, Hudson Varnedoe Thomas and Lawson Howard Thomas.
Claire was especially proud of her three great grandchildren: Lily Noel Timm, Logan Bruce Timm, and Wyatt Heeth Thomas.
Claire is also survived by her sister-in-law Jaqueline Ponder Varnedoe, wife of the late Heeth Varnedoe III of Thomasville.
The family of Claire wants to express their gratefulness to Billie "D" Jo Beverly for her enduring care, love and advice for over 20 years as well as Kathy Brown, who remained a constant friend and bedrock of support. To all the leadership and staff at Woodleaf Senior Care, your compassion and assistance was keenly felt every day. And Agape Hospice, you brought dignity, peaceful transition and guidance to the last few weeks of her life.
And particularly to the Big 6 - Claire's friends of 70+ years - Sibyl Middleton Plumly, Joyce Guy Varnedoe Williams, Caryl Neel Putman, Joan Lindsey Campbell, and Betty Whelchel Brian; your lasting friendship was a persistent and happy lifeline for decades.
A memorial service will be held this Sunday, February 19 at First Presbyterian Church in Thomasville, Georgia at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow in the fellowship hall.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, February 17 at the Allen & Allen Funeral Home Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Claire's honor may be sent to the Thomasville History Center, PO Box 1922 Thomasville, Georgia, 31799.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Claire Thomas, please visit our flower store.
Claire graduated from Thomasville High School in 1952, attended Huntingdon College, The University of Maine, and The University of Georgia, graduating with a degree in Education in 1956. In college, Claire was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority.
As a teacher, her primary professional role centered around Adult Basic and Remedial High School Education.
Upon retiring to Thomasville, she was an active member of The First Presbyterian Church of Thomasville. Claire was a Master Gardener and served on various civic committees focusing on the beautification of her beloved Thomasville. She was the past president of the Board of Directors of the Thomasville History Center, past Thomasville Town Chair of The Colonial Dames of America, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the past Chairman of the Thomasville Antique Show, Patron of the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation, and past president of the Rambling Rose Garden Club.
Claire was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, James Kellett Thomas III. She is survived by her two children: Claire Thomas Timm of Thomasville and Kellett Varnedoe Thomas and wife Adrea Morar Thomas of Lexington, Virginia. She was well loved by eight grandchildren: Hampton James Timm and wife Melissa Noel Schafer Timm, Claire Flowers Timm Rodrigues and husband Matthew Lima Rodrigues, Margaret Howard Timm and fiancé Cody Russell Jakes, Sheffield Heeth Timm, William Kellett Thomas and wife Mary Elizabeth Nuttall Thomas, Jonathan Heeth Thomas, Hudson Varnedoe Thomas and Lawson Howard Thomas.
Claire was especially proud of her three great grandchildren: Lily Noel Timm, Logan Bruce Timm, and Wyatt Heeth Thomas.
Claire is also survived by her sister-in-law Jaqueline Ponder Varnedoe, wife of the late Heeth Varnedoe III of Thomasville.
The family of Claire wants to express their gratefulness to Billie "D" Jo Beverly for her enduring care, love and advice for over 20 years as well as Kathy Brown, who remained a constant friend and bedrock of support. To all the leadership and staff at Woodleaf Senior Care, your compassion and assistance was keenly felt every day. And Agape Hospice, you brought dignity, peaceful transition and guidance to the last few weeks of her life.
And particularly to the Big 6 - Claire's friends of 70+ years - Sibyl Middleton Plumly, Joyce Guy Varnedoe Williams, Caryl Neel Putman, Joan Lindsey Campbell, and Betty Whelchel Brian; your lasting friendship was a persistent and happy lifeline for decades.
A memorial service will be held this Sunday, February 19 at First Presbyterian Church in Thomasville, Georgia at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow in the fellowship hall.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, February 17 at the Allen & Allen Funeral Home Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Claire's honor may be sent to the Thomasville History Center, PO Box 1922 Thomasville, Georgia, 31799.
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