Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at New Hope Baptist Church in Foxworth for James Russell "Jimmy" Thomas, 88, of Foxworth, who passed away Friday, December 26, 2025 at his residence. Interment will be at Lott Cemetery in Foxworth. Dr. Jerry Watts, Bro. Kevin Crozier, and Bro. Kent Campbell will officiate the services. Karla Brown will provide special music. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Monday, December 29, 2025 at New Hope Baptist Church.

Jimmy was a devoted follower of Christ, loving husband and father, and friend to many.  After graduation from Columbia High School in 1955, he was licensed into the ministry.  Later that year he went on to join the Navy for 4 years.  While stationed in Jacksonville, Florida, he met Nancy Hopkins to whom he would marry in 1958.  They then moved back to Marion County where they would establish a home and family for the next 67 years.  Jimmy started his working career after the Navy on a cattle farm.  After a short period, he began working in the oil field supply industry.  During this time he found his career with Deepwell Service, which later became Challenger Deepwell Service.  In 1999, he retired as general manager after serving 30 years.

Servin the Lord was a priority to Jimmy.  After moving back to Marion County, Jimmy and Nancy raised their family in the New Hope Community on Ten Mile Creek.  He attended New Hope Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, and Sunday school teacher for 50 plus years.  Jimmy made the church a focal point of his and his family's life.  For the past 56 years, he felt it an honor to serve the Lord with perfect attendance in Sunday school.

Jimmy could often be found on a river or lake trying to fill up a cooler with catfish, which he was pretty good at.  He met a lot of people while fishing, starting many conversations with the objective of making sure they had a relationship with our Savior.

He was preceded in death by his Father, J D Thomas; Mother, Lois Turnage Hodges; Brother, Billy Thomas; Sister, Jackie Deornellas (David); Grandson Zachary Langley.

He is survived by his Wife, Nancy Hopkins Thomas of Foxworth, MS;  two Sons, Russell "Rusty" Thomas of Foxworth, MS and James "Danny" Thomas (Annette) of Foxworth;  Daughter, Donna Stringer (David) of Foxworth, MS;  five Grandchildren, Karla Brown (Matt), Mitch Ratliff (Lauren), Tyler Thomas (Katie), R J Thomas (Sissy) and Aaron Thomas;  9 Great Grandchildren;  2 Great Great Grandchildren;  a host of nephews, nieces, and friends;  Sister-In-Law, Dorothy Thomas.

Pallbearers will be Mitch Ratliff, Tyler Thomas, R J Thomas, Aaron Thomas, Kenner Ratliff, and Kullen Ratliff. Honorary pallbearers will be Older Men`s Sunday School Class of New Hope BC.

In Lieu of flowers the family ask donations be made to New Hope Baptist Church building fund of Batson Children's Hospital.

Hathorn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign an online guest register book at www.hathornfuneralhome.com