Robert J. "Bob" Thomas, 93 of Laurel, Mississippi, died early on the morning of Thursday, December 17, 2020, Forrest General Hospital, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He was born on December 7, 1927, Jenner Township, Pennsylvania.

Visitation will be at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, December 18,2020 at Ellisville Funeral Home, Ellisville, Mississippi. Funeral will be at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel at Ellisville Funeral Home.
Burial will follow in Florence Congregational Methodist Church Cemetery, Sandersville, Mississippi. Bro Jimmy Holder will officiate. Sallie Rustin will perform one of Bob's favorite songs "One Day At a Time." Navy Honor Guard will perform the Military Funeral Honors.

Ellisville Funeral Home (601) 477-3797, is in charge of the arrangements.

Bob proudly served his country by enlisting in the U.S. Navy in November 1945 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was assigned to U.S.S Ellyson #19, a Mine Sweeper, as Seaman First Class. He was honorably discharged on November 26,1947, after having been awarded the World War II Victory Medal on August 1, 1947. Bob loved God and his country.

Upon his discharge from the Navy worked in the coal mines of Pennsylvania and for 27 years drove long haul for Cooper-Jarrett where he retired. Following his retirement, he moved to Florida working with heavy machinery, and then moved to Mississippi, where he continued to work in various jobs, until the age of 90. He loved driving tour buses for Cedar Hill, Express and Knight Coaches. Also, he worked for R&J Construction and Walters Construction, operating heavy equipment. He also enjoyed driving new vehicles from plants to customers for Burroughs Diesel.

Bob is survived by his wife, Margaret Rankin-Thomas; son Terry Thomas (Avis), Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and one brother Paul Thomas, Somerset, Pennsylvania. He was predeceased by his parents and one brother, Don Thomas.

Pallbearers will be grandson, William Allbrook, Brad Payne, Adam Coker, Mark Lyon, Chad Parker and Tony Brownlee. Honorary Pallbearers will be Randall Coker, Iley Joe Payne and Mason Lyon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be may in Bob's memory to Florence Congregational Methodist Church, 39 McFarland Road, Sandersville, MS 39477