Sudie Nell Thomas

Thursday morning, March 4, 2021, was a sunshiny day, Spring was in the air, and signs of new life were on the way. On that morning at 10:28 a.m., a new life was indeed beginning. The body of flesh that holds these earthly bodies was released and a perfect angel flew to her eternal home.

Sudie Nell (Coulter) Thomas was born July 22, 1932 to Jim and Lucy Coulter. They preceded her on this journey. She attended the Advent Academy and graduated from Rhea Central High School in 1951.

She lived in California with her sister Maudie Horsley and worked at Douglas Aircraft. She was there for the birth of her first niece Lucy in 1953.

She was married to Orville H. Thomas on March 21, 1958. They were blessed with two beautiful girls, Cleveah and Dianne. Sudie was a homemaker, always welcomed people into her home with a smile, and always offered refreshments. She had a servant’s heart.

She and Orville lived in Tiptonville, TN, and pastored churches in that area for several years. Upon Orville’s death on September 5, 2014, she returned to Soddy Daisy to live with her daughter Dianne and David. From there she took her leave home.

Sudie was preceded in passing by her parents, Jim and Lucy Coulter; her husband of 63 years, Rev. Orville Thomas; her brothers, Jimmy Coulter, Paul Coulter, Willie Coulter, Joe Coulter, and Junior Coulter; and her sisters, Maudie Horsley, and Ruth Johnson.

Surviving Sudie are her two daughters, Dianne Thomas and Cleveah Thomas; special caregiver, David McCormick; four grandchildren, Johnny, Kristina, Ashley, and Daniel; six great grandchildren; her sister, Thelma Collier of Graysville; 15 nieces and nephews; several grandnieces and nephews; and many relatives and friends.

Sudie lived a life of humility and was a faithful wife to her husband and mother to her girls. Her world was silence, but she lived, laughed, and loved just as an angel on earth. Now she can hear the birds singing, her tongue has been loosed, and she is free to sing praises to her Lord and Savior that she has cherished all her life. She is free to be the angel we all knew she was. Never doubt that angels are among us!

Graveside services for Sudie will be held on Monday, March 8, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Chattanooga National Cemetery with Rev. Arthur Thomas officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her husband, Orville.

Please share your memories and photos of Sudie on her online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com .

The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton where they will receive friends on Sunday afternoon, March 7, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Social distancing is strongly encouraged, and face masks will be required.