February 15, 2022
Gayle and Phillip Thomas
Audrey Gayle Thomas age 40 of Smithville passed away Thursday afternoon December 30, 2021 at TriStar Summit Hospital in Hermitage from complications of Covid. She was born May 30, 1981 in Smithville. She was preceded in death by her mother, Wanda Vanatta Rigsby; maternal grandparents, W.A. and Frances Vanatta; paternal grandparents, Jewel Brown “Red” and Elizabeth Pascal Rigsby; nephew, Jeffery Rigsby and niece, Erica Marie Bullard. Gayle was a member of the Keltonburg United Methodist Church and worked at Omega Apparel. She was survived by her husband, Phillip Thomas of Smithville; 2 children, Phillip “Little Man” Thomas (Kaitlyn Fish) of Smithville and Helen (James) Winchel of McMinnville; father, Lloyd Rigsby of Smithville; sisters, Trina Hernandez of Nashville and Destiny Wisemore of McMinnville; brothers, Christopher Rigsby and Aubrey Rigsby both of Smithville; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Brenda and Ricky Caldwell; special nephew, Michael Bullard; special great niece, Peyton Bandy; special mother, Eva Kelly (Jeff) Trannel ; special friend that was more like a sister, Heather Wilson and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews and cousins and a host of other family and friends.
Phillip Royce Thomas age 41 of Smithville passed away Friday morning, December 31, 2021 at TriSatr Summit Hospital in Hermitage from complications of Covid. He was born December 15, 1980 in Smithville. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gayle Thomas; maternal grandparents, Abe and Pearl Colwell, Herman and Clara Caldwell; paternal grandparents, Willie Eugene “Sheep” and Vada Atnip Thomas; 2 aunts, Barbara Hicks and Mary Hale; 3 uncles, Jackie Thomas, Eddie Lattimore and Paul Caldwell. He was self-employed and worked at NHC HealthCare for 15 years and was a member of the Keltonburg United Methodist Church. He is survived by 2 children, Phillip “Little Man” Thomas (Kaitlyn Fish) of Smithville and Helen (James) Winchel of McMinnville; mother and loving father, Brenda and Ricky Caldwell of Smithville; dad, Jessie Thomas of Alexandria; brother, Jessie Eugene “Brother” Thomas of McMinnville; sisters, Peggy Bandy of Liberty, Rose Montgomery of Smithville, Anne Davis of Nashville and Hope Thomas of Smithville; special father-in-law, Lloyd Rigsby; sisters-in-law, Trina Hernandez and Destiny Wisemore; brothers-in-law, Christopher and Aubrey Rigsby; special nephew, Michael Bullard and special great-niece, Peyton Bandy; special cousins, Sarah Thomas, Jessica Hale and Sabrina Melton; special friend, Alan Taylor and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. The family has chosen a direct cremation for Gayle and Phillip and a Celebration of Life will be held 4 PM Saturday, February 19, 2022, at the DeKalb County Complex with visitation on Saturday 2 PM until the time of the service at 4 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the charity of your choice, in memory of Gayle and Phillip.
DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.