It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Ms. Marcia Ann Thomas. She lived to be a very spry 80 years old. The last 10 years of her life were spent in Athens, Ga. with her loving daughters, Jennifer and Melissa Hatton. She loved her Bulldogs! She passed away at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital from Covid-Pneumonia on Saturday, February 19, 2022.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Kodell Thomas as well as her sister, Martha Sue Peppas. Marcia was born June 15, 1941 in Dublin, Ga. She graduated from Dublin High School and continued her education at the Georgia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing. She graduated from Brunswick College School of Nursing and received her Nursing License in 1969. She worked as both a critical care nurse and a home health nurse until 1982.
Marcia was an avid animal lover. In her life, she held several of her pets very close to her heart. Some of their names are: Peaches, Angel, Lilly, Baby, Mr. T., Panda, Sandy, Smokey, Wee-do, Boodles, Heckle and Jeckle, and countless many more. For a time, she even trained German Shepherds for Warner Robins Air Force Base. She told a story once of how she reached down to pet a military K-9 dog and the officer warned her not to, but the dog just started wagging his tail acting like a puppy. She then informed the officer that it was one of “her” dogs. She was a professional quilter/instructor and author. She loved equestrian activities and showed horses for a period of time. She was an expert seamstress, gardener, loved knitting, crocheting, and could make anything with her hands. She loved the mountains, especially the Blue Ridge Parkway, and looking at the leaves in the fall.
Those who knew her, knew her as an incurable prankster and jokester. There was an instance when her “Alexa” was not saying “You’re welcome” and it bothered her that Alexa did not have good manners. Once she realized we could make Alexa respond any way we wanted to specific questions, she started plotting how to prank the home health aides when they were there. For example, she would ask “Alexa, where is Robert?” and Alexa would respond: “He is in the basement hiding the body of the last home health aide.” Some of the reactions were hilarious.
Marcia was a member of Forest Heights Baptist Church in Athens and was a strong woman of faith. She could often be found in her room lost in prayer.
Her favorite bible verses were: Psalms 121:1-2 “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”; Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”; and Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Of all the things she accomplished in her life, she would tell you immediately that her proudest achievements are her children. Even when they were far away, she always kept them close to her heart and foremost in her prayers. The same is true for her grandchildren and other family. If we could sum up her life in three words they would be loving, compassionate, and joyful.
Marcia is survived by her daughter, Lisa Susan Fulford; her son, Robert Irwin Fulford Jr., his wife, Katrina Fulford; daughter, Nikol Chernisheva Day; and son, Robert Franz Fulford. She is also survived by her daughters, Jennifer Leigh Hatton and Jessalyn Melissa Hatton; as well as her brother-in law George Peppas; nephew, Christopher Peppas, and his wife, Melissa Kaye Peppas.
A graveside service will be held Friday, February 25, at 2:00 p.m., at Northview Cemetery in Dublin, with Rev. Dave Smith officiating.
The family will receive friends Thursday, February 24, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Bernstein Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local Animal Humane Society or the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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