Alma Juanita Thames

Alma Juanita Long Thames, 99, of Albany, GA, died February 5, 2016 at Pruitt Health Palmyra. Funeral services will be held Monday February 8, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Avondale Baptist Church in Macon, GA. Rev. Marty Watson will officiate. Interment will follow at the Avondale Baptist Church Cemetery.

Born in Centerville, GA to William Hardeman Long and Alma Leaptrot Long, Mrs. Thames graduated as valedictorian from Centerville High School in 1933. After high school, she moved to Macon, GA where she lived until 2008 when she moved to Albany, GA. Mrs. Thames worked making a home for her family. She had a strong constitution and was a strict disciplinarian, both of which helped make her children responsible members of society with conservative Christian values. She was "well spoken" and there was never any doubt where she stood on any matter.

She was saved, baptized and became a member of Avondale Baptist Church in 1935 and was a member of the Edythe Adams Sunday School Class. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living member of the church.

She loved the outdoors and was well known for raking leaves and pine straw from her large yard, picking every leaf and straw from the shrubbery.

Mrs. Thames is preceded in death by her husband, Frank Maynard Thames, Sr., and brothers, William H. (Shorty) Long, Jr., and James F. Long.

Survivors include a daughter, Gail Thames Calhoun and her husband, George of Ringold, GA, a son, Dr. Maynard Thames. and his wife, Freida of Albany, GA, six grandchildren, Renee Calhoun Sloan of Rossville, GA, Rege Calhoun of Ringold, GA, Amy T. Broadaway and husband, Drew of Albany, GA, Jonathan Thames of Leesburg, GA, Abby Hayes and husband, Rusty of Lee Co, GA, Anna Randa and her husband Jeff of Athens, GA, and eight great-grandchildren, Hayden, Haley, Blake, Ryder, Houston, Skylar, Sadie Leigh and Paxton.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM Sunday at Mathews Funeral Home. The family will also be receiving friends for one hour before the funeral services at the Avondale Baptist Church in Macon, GA.

Those desiring may make contributions to Gideon's International, Albany West Camp, P.O. Box 72341, Albany, GA, 31708 or to Avondale Baptist Church, 6970 Cochran Field Rd., Macon, GA, 31216.