Duette Ivon Thomas

Duette Ivon Thomas of New Brockton, Alabama passed away on November 10, 2011 in the company of his children at Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick, GA. He was 81 years of age. He was born January 31, 1930 in Coffee County, Alabama to the late Joseph Hill Thomas and the late Lena Harrison Thomas.

To those who knew and loved him, his life can be summarized as follows: ‘’He loved his God, his Family, and his Country.” He was the epitome of a “Gentleman.”

Duette was a retired Master Sergeant of the U.S. Marine Corps of 26 years, having served in the war in Korea. He was a member of the Brockton Lodge # 694 and the Ocean Lodge # 214 having served as Master Mason. He was past Eminent Commander of St. Elmo’s Commandery of Knights Templar, past High Priest of the Ballard Council of Royal and Select Masters, past Illustrious Master of Brunswick Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. Having filled those four high offices he was elected to the Knight York Cross of Honor.

A member of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he served as president of the Brunswick Shrine Club. He was past Sovereign of the Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine, and was a Charter Member of the York Rite Sovereign College of Savannah.

Mr. Thomas was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Savannah Scottish Rite bodies. He was elevated by that group to the honorary position of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor. He served as president of the Southeast Georgia Scottish Rite Association, and as a Knight Rose Croix, was an enthusiastic and respected participant in their annual Maunday Thursday observance at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Gloucester Street. Mr. Thomas was known and revered in the Fraternity for his unfailing charity, and counsel and support to all his brothers.

He also retired from the Georgia Ports Authority in 1992 after 15 years of service.

He was married to the late Vertie Hunt Thomas for 50 years. He is survived by six children, twelve grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Daughters Wanda Shirley and Brenda Roberts of New Brockton , AL, Sandra Crumbliss and Angela Metcalf of St. Simons Island, GA., sons Joe Thomas of New Brockton, AL and Doyle Thomas of Brunswick, GA. , daughter –in- law Sharon Thomas of Brunswick, sons- in- law Merrill Shirley and Ted Roberts of New Brockton , AL, Bill Metcalf and Thomas Crumbliss of St. Simons Island, GA, grandchildren Mandy Mundy (Wade) of Gulf Port, MS, Griffin Shirley (Kelli) of Dothan, AL, Le Hill Shirley of Auburn, AL, Brendon and Daniel Roberts of Enterprise, AL, Meagan and Mallory Thomas of Brunswick, GA, Mindy McGarry (Jeremy) of Brunswick, Nick Palmer of Perry, GA, Isabella Crumbliss of St Simons Island, Rachel and Sean Metcalf of St. Simons Island, Great grandchildren Laura Beth and Abby Mundy of Gulfport, MS, Elsie and Charlotte Shirley of Dothan, AL, Tristan Roberts of Enterprise, AL, and Janie McGarry of Brunswick.

He was the brother of the late Miles Thomas (Rudell) of Orlando FL, the late Jack Thomas (Merle) of Titusville FL, the late Beulah Mae Windham (the late Horace) of Elba, AL, and the late Gwen Hickman (the late Clayton Hickman)of Elba, AL. He is survived by his sister Grace Moore (Sam) of New Brockton, AL.

The family will receive friends and guests from 6 pm to 8pm Friday November 11 at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 12 at 11am in the chapel at Edo Miller and Sons. Entombment will follow the service in Brunswick Memorial Park Cemetery with Military Honors and Masonic Rites. Serving active pallbearers will be his grandsons Le Hill Shirley, Brendon and Daniel Roberts, Nick Palmer, Sean Metcalf, and his nephew, Rob Hickman.

Honorary Pallbearers are all brothers of the Ocean Lodge #214, Brockton Lodge #694 and employees of the GA Ports Authority.

Family request in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, GA. 31525.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home and you may sign the online guestbook at www.edomillerandsons.com