The Thomas family is sad to announce the passing of a loved one. Ruther Lee Thomas was born September 18, 1922 to the late C.J. Wheeler and Clemmie (Lil MA) Mansfield in Mitchell County.

During the early years of her life, she attended public school in Greenough.

Ruther Lee was a Christian hearted lady. She founded the New Provisor Baptist Church Choir. There she served as director. She later joined First Mt. Olive Baptist Church in 1952 where she song in the choir and was a deaconess.

In holy matrimony, Ruther Lee married her 1st husband, Ed Harden, Jr. Two children were born in their union. She later married her second husband, Willie Thomas in 1950.

Ruther Lee was a hard working woman in life. She worked numerous jobs, but Sheraton Hotel on Oglethorpe Blvd became her career. She retired after dedicating 27 years to them.

She quietly departed this life on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, GA.

She was preceded in death by five brothers: Cleophis Wheeler, Horace Wheeler, Eugene Wheeler, J.C. Wheeler and Willie B. Wheeler; three sisters: Geraldine Williams, Resa W. Gilbert and Virginia Wheeler Jackson.

She leaves to cherish her memories: two children: James (Deloris) Harden and Deloris Brown both of Albany, GA; One sister:Virdell Wallace of New Jersey; two sisters-in-law: Annie Bell Wheeler and Viola Wheeler both of Mitchell County; eight grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, three great great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and sorrowing friends.