Mr. Grover Jehue Thomas, Jr., age 89 of Blue Ridge, GA passed away on November 22, 2015. Grover was born Mar. 5th, 1926 on a farm near Blue Ridge, Georgia. Early in his life he learned the value of hard work and the responsibility of contributing to the needs of his family. Among his many tasks, he included caring for the family's livestock, a skill that later led to raising a Grand Champion steer in the statewide 4-H competition. He also learned a love of the outdoors, beginning with fishing lessons with his Aunt Callie. In his adult years he became an avid deer hunter and "loved trying to outwit a white tailed deer."Grover served proudly in the U.S. Army near the end of the Second World War. Upon being discharged, he completed his B.S. in Agriculture at the University of Georgia. He married Vera Ann McElhannon in 1952 and settled down to a long career as a soil scientist with the Soil Conservation Service. They were blessed with 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. Grover loved every member of his family with all his heart. Vera and Grover were long-time active members of Woodlawn Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga. Upon Grover's retirement they moved to Blue Ridge and joined Lebanon Baptist Church where Grover had been a member in his youth. One of his favorite Scripture passages was Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen." His family is very happy to know his faith has finally become sight… and he is now enjoying all the blessings he hoped for.His survivors include his children and their spouses, Anita Thomas Strickland and E.C. of Dalton, GA, Grover J. "JoJo" Thomas, III and Debbie of Gainesville, GA, Dianne Thomas Akin and Gary of Grayson, GA, and Laura Thomas Elder and David of Demorest, GA; sister, Josephine Thomas Pelfrey of Blue Ridge, GA; grandchildren, April Strickland Nelson, Heather Strickland Miller, Micah Jehue Thomas, Mark Travis Thomas, Matthew Austin Thomas, Scott Thomas Akin, William Brandt Akin, Stephen Andrew Akin and Brian David Elder, and Meredith Ann Elder; great grandchildren, Parker Dean Nelson, Natalie Louise Nelson, Blake Robert Nelson, Avery Kathleen Miller, Thomas Joseph Miller III, and Josie Elizabeth Thomas. Preceding him in death is his wife, Vera McElhannon Thomas; brother, James Alvin Thomas; sisters, Lillian Thomas Higdon, Helen Thomas Grubbs and infant Angela Thomas; and grandson, Bryce Thomas Nelson.Funeral Services were conducted on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. from the Lebanon Baptist Church with Rev. David McLendon officiating. Music was provided by Matthew Thomas, Kristen Thomas, Morgan Akin, Jim Crutchfield, and Carol Thomas. Interment followed in the Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. James Howard Galloway officiating. Serving as pallbearers were Mark Thomas, Micah Thomas, Matthew Thomas, Scott Akin, Brandt Akin, Stephen Akin, Robert Nelson, T.J. Miller, Bryan Hogan, and Brian Elder. Serving as an honorary escort were Deacons of Lebanon Baptist Church. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Lebanon Baptist Church at P.O. Box 309 Epworth, GA 30541 in honor of Grover Thomas. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com . Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge was in charge of the arrangements. .