Susan Marshall Thomas

SUSAN TIMBERLAKE THOMAS Staunton, Virginia Susan Timberlake Thomas died Monday, August 20, 2012 at home. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Mrs. Thomas is survived by her husband of fifty-three years, Colin J. S. Thomas, Jr.; son C. J. Steuart Thomas, III, his wife Marie B. Thomas and their children Ann Marshall Thomas, Susan Thomas, Colin Thomas and Marie Thomas and Roane Babington of Staunton, Virginia; daughter Susan T. Cornelius, her husband Bobby M. Cornelius and their son, Marshall Cornelius of McDowell, Virginia; daughter Emily T. Reed, her husband David S. Stott and her children Nathaniel P. Reed and Elly Reed, all of Staunton, Virginia; her sister Frances T. Meares, her husband Clyde Meares of Columbia, South Carolina and their children R. Stribling Meares and wife, Jean W. Meares and daughter Catherine of Columbia, Maryland; Father Tim Meares of Rocky Mount, North Carolina; and Beverly M. Hicks, her husband Rev. Paul Hicks of Vienna, WVA; brother Wayt B. Timberlake, III, his wife Mary B. Timberlake of Staunton, Virginia and their children Wayt B. Timberlake, IV, wife Laura M. Timberlake and their children Emmie Timberlake and Wayt B. Timberlake V of Charlottesville, Virginia; Julia T. Jones, her husband John F. Jones and their children Mary B. Jones and John W. Jones of Staunton, Virginia. Mrs. Thomas was born April 20, 1938 in Staunton, Virginia to Wayt B. Timberlake, Jr. and Susan Marshall Timberlake. After graduation from Sweet Briar College she married and started her family. She served as Chair of the Trinity Episcopal Church Altar Guild for over twenty years and in 1986, encouraged by Rev. Herbert Myers, she reorganized and formed the current system, remaining active until her death. She was a long time member of the Garden Club of Virginia and the Augusta Garden Club, serving as President of the Augusta Club from 1979-1981. She formed and taught the Augusta Club Novice Arranging Workshop and was a recipient of the Flower Arranging Achievement Award from the Garden Club of America. She was a lifelong mentor to many. She taught not only flower arranging, but also horseback riding and her favorite game of bridge. She was beloved by all who knew her and will be remembered for her love of her husband, Cal, her concern for others, her love of the Hatteras, North Carolina area and the beach where she so loved to walk and swim, and her love of playing games and teaching fair play to her grandchildren. The family is grateful for the wonderful help of her care givers Kay McDonagh and Rosa Blakey. Funeral services will be at Trinity Episcopal Church, 214 W. Beverly Street, Staunton, Virginia at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 25, 2012. In lieu of flowers, you may wish to consider a gift to the Altar Guild of Trinity Church, P.O. Box 208, Staunton, Virginia or Hospice of the Shenandoah, P.O. Box 215, Fishersville, Virginia. Henry Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.