Barbara Wayne Thomas

February 13, 1942 - June 3, 2019

Barbara W. Thomas, 77, passed away Monday, June 3, 2019, at the Bristol Regional Medical Center, following a brief illness. She was a loving sister and teacher, who will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She was born in Bristol on February 13, 1942, the first child of the late John C. Thomas and Gaynelle Fleenor Thomas. She was a graduate of Tennessee High School, Virginia Intermont College, and East Tennessee State University. Barbara was a retired second grade school teacher with nearly 50 years of educating young minds. She taught at Weaver Elementary School, Bristol, TN, for close to 40 years after beginning her teaching career at St. Anne’s Catholic School in Bristol, VA. Barbara loved to travel; she had visited almost every state in the continental US several times. She was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church in Bristol TN. She was also active in the Fort Chiswell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Bristol Pilot Club, Tennessee Retired Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and Beta Sigma Phi International. Barbara was also a strong supporter of the Democratic party and the Atlanta Braves. She is survived by a brother, John C. “Chris” Thomas of Bristol; two sisters, Linda T. Warrick and husband Don, of Lawrenceville, GA, and Lettie T. Jackson and husband Pat, of Bristol; niece and nephews, Susan M. Lopez and husband Art, of Oxnard, CA, Christopher W. Warrick and wife Keri, of Suwanee, GA, and Thomas P. Jackson of Bristol. Great nieces and nephew, Susie L. Zuniga and husband Samuel, and their daughter, Skyla, Artie Lopez, and Carly Lopez, all of CA. Also surviving are several cousins and many special longtime friends, as well as faithful dog, Rosie. Funeral services will be conducted at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, June 8, 2019, at First Presbyterian Church, Bristol TN, with Rev. Sam Weddington and Dr. David L. Welch officiating. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Christopher Warrick, Thomas Jackson, Eddie Roberts, Frank DeCaterina, Jr., Ray Bibee, and David Bibee. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, before the service, in the First Presbyterian Church sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Memorial Fund, 701 Florida Avenue, Bristol, TN 37620, or to the regional chapter of the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be sent to the family at akardfuneralhome.com Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN (423) 989-4800 is serving the Thomas family.