We now have a new angel to watch over us. Below follows a celebration of the life of Anthony “Tony” Thomas.
Sunrise: Aug. 24, 1960. Sunset: Feb. 6, 2019.
Tony was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Benny Brown and Gloria Green, raised with love by Cyrus Thomas and Gloria Thomas. His loving parents preceded him in death, but they left him with a phenomenal legacy to embrace. He accepted Christ as his personal savior.
From the beginning of his diagnosis, Tony kept a positive attitude, relied on the promise of God and the support of his dedicated family to face the long journey. Even in his transition there is victory because he receives everlasting life minus the pain and suffering in a mansion not constructed by man.
Tony resided in Lake Monticello, Va., since 1992. He was the owner of Tony-T Sweet Shop, which was one of the first businesses located at the Lake.
He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 38 years, Lily Thomas; his beautiful children Anthony “Mee Mee” David Thomas, Melanie Irene Thomas and his goddaughter Solana Knox; his beloved brother Alan (Amanda) Thomas of Atlanta, Ga.; four phenomenal sisters, Robin (Alvin) Washington of Pensacola Fla., Sharon Renee Thomas of Atlanta, Ga., Rena Rochester of Garfield, N.J., and Anita “Choo-Choo” (Harvey) Middleton of Homestead, Fla.; his in-laws Adam Raju (deceased), Richard Raju (deceased), Maria Raju, Theresa (JR) Arroyo of Palmyra, Va., Irene (Rick) Garcia of the Bronx, N.Y., and Susila Raju of Palmyra, Va.; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
The Greatest Commandment from Matthew 22:34-40 reads: “Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments.’”