Winfred Alan Thomas

Mr. Winfred Alan Thomas, loving father, grandfather and retired businessman, died October 22, 2011, at the age of 71. A memorial service led by Pastor Brian Workman is set for 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, at Davidson Funeral Home in Lexington. Visitation with friends and family will begin at 10 a.m. and immediately precede the service. A graveside service will then be held at 3 p.m. at Rocky Mount Baptist Church in Polkton. Born April 4, 1940, in Wadesboro, he was the son of late parents Lucy Goodman Thomas and Edwin Devotion Thomas. He was a 1958 graduate of Oakboro High School and attended college in Charlotte. In 1960, he married Jahala Dianne Whitley of Oakboro. Mr. Thomas worked as a successful businessman in Oakboro, Monroe and Lexington. Among other entrepreneurial ventures, he was an owner of Fab Masters, Inc., a metal fabrication company. Later, Mr. Thomas retired and enjoyed being with his children and grandchildren. He was able to give them many lasting memories of “Grandpop.” He also spent time with his loving companion, Ruby Kepley and her family members in the Silver Valley community in Lexington. He was preceded in death by his brother, Edwin (Bud) Thomas Jr. Survivors include his son, Alan Trent Thomas and wife, Susan Johnson Thomas, of Waynesville; daughter Lori Thomas Day of Concord; grandchildren Whitley and Stirling Thomas of Waynesville; and sisters, Mrs. Helen Mitchum of Mount Pleasant and Mrs. Mary Cullingford of Charlotte. Mr. Thomas is also survived by brother-in-law John Mitchum; sister-in-law, Joy Warren Thomas; niece Kim Cullingford Vague; and nephews, Kevin and Chris Cullingford and Johnny and Eddie Mitchum. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Baptist Church, 385 Ernest Snider Rd., Lexington, N.C. 27292; or to the Rocky Mount Baptist Church cemetery fund, 4167 Rocky Mount Church Rd., Polkton, N.C. 28135.