Shirley Elizabeth Thomas

Mrs. Shirley Elizabeth Thomas, age 87, of Lake Butler, FL, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2023, at her home. She was born on May 6, 1935, in Jacksonville, FL, to Ashford Travis Jordan and Violet Reyes. She grew up and lived in St. Augustine and was a 1953 graduate of Ketterlinus High School. Mrs. Shirley lived in Jacksonville for about 40 years until moving to Lake Butler 30 years ago. She worked for the Duval County School Board until her retirement. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She was a longtime Sunday School teacher and served on the Building and Planning Committee for her church, Sardis Baptist Church. She was a past Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star #42 of Lake Butler and a member of the Starke Shrine Club. Mrs. Thomas was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 56 years, Henry Eugene Thomas; and her sister, Margot Reid.

Mrs. Thomas is survived by her children, Deborah (Richard) Bittner of St. Augustine, Donna (Stephen) Crutchfield of St. Augustine, Carolyn (Jack) Keefe of Green Cove Springs, and Richard (Wendy) Thomas of St. Augustine; her grandchildren, Laura Kern, Mathew and Nicholas Thomas, Jared and Benjamin Bittner, and Christopher and Thomas Crutchfield; great-grandchildren, Lily and Maverick Thomas; her sister, Thelma Ford of St. Augustine; numerous extended family also survive.

A funeral to honor Mrs. Thomas’ life will be held on Saturday, March 18, at 10:00 am at her church, Sardis Baptist Church, in Worthington Springs. The family will receive friends for a visitation on Friday, March 17, from 6-8:00 pm at Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler. 386-496-2008. www.ArcherFuneralHome.com