&uot;I call on the Lord till he blessed my soul and I wouldn’t let go.&uot;

Arthur Thomas, 76, of 308 Mills St. in Suffolk, departed from his earthly home on Thursday, July 14, 2005 at 9:35 a.m. in Obici Memorial Hospital.

Arthur was born in Rocky Mt. North Carolina and was a native of Suffolk.

He attended Suffolk Public Schools.

He was born on April 13, 1929 to the late Matilda and Julians Thomas.

He was predeceased by one son, Casey Savage and two brothers, Johnny and William Thomas.

He retired from the City of Suffolk Public Utility after 42 years of service.

He was a former member New Mount Joy Food for Living. He leave to cherish his memory his wife of 48 years, Julia Thomas; 10 children, Carolyn Green (Nick), Gloria Barnes, Linda Knight (Chris), Annie Harden (James), Cindy Thomas, Peggy Thomas, Stacey Thomas, Arthur Thomas Jr. (Joy), Ray Thomas and Fred Thomas all of Suffolk; one sister, Annie Mea Fortune of Staten Island, N.Y.; mother-in-law, Ellen Mea Darden of Suffolk; three god daughters, Gloria Hawkins (Melvin), Virginia Tynes (William) and Phyllis White (William); two sisters-in-law, Princess Robinson (Rickey) and Elizabeth Thomas; three brothers-in-law, Charlie Knight, Jerome Knight and Herbert Riddick (Mattie); 28 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends and other relatives and friends left with memories.

The Homegoing service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2005 at New Mount Joy Food for Living, 307 County St. The viewing will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, and

noon to 7 p.m. Monday, July 18, 2005. The interment will be at Holly Lawn Cemetery in Suffolk.

The family will receive friends at 308 Mills St. in Suffolk. Professional Services are entrusted to T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home.