Mr. John Lidell Thacker, age 82, of Rome, passed away at his residence on Tuesday, September 23, 2014.
Mr. Thacker was born in Bartow County, GA on March 15, 1932, son of the late Marcus Thacker and the late Mary Lou Kilgore Thacker. He was also preceded in death by four siblings, Sarah Stalvey, Rose Cardella, M. T. Thacker, and Frank (Dee) Thacker. Mr. Thacker was a skilled carpenter, having been self-employed for many years. At the time of his retirement in 1994, he was employed by Smithson Builders. He proudly served in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1953-1955, and he was a member of the Shanklin-Attaway Post #5 American Legion. Mr. Thacker was a certified member of the Creek Indian Tribe. He was an active member of Dykes Creek Baptist Church, the Senior Adult Men’s Sunday School Class and a life Deacon. We will remember him as a humble, soft spoken servant of God who loved his family and fellow church members. The smile of a child would send his spirits soaring.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Betty Jo Carver Thacker, Rome; three daughters, Melanie Sayer, and her husband, Barry, Birmingham, AL, Angela (Ann) Baird, and her husband, James, Summerville, and Lori Jackson, and her husband, Jim, Rome; one brother, Charles Thacker, and his wife, Winnie, Jonesboro; four sisters, Mary Bishop and Margaret Busby, both of Rome, Helen Standridge, Canton, and Fran Walker, and her husband, Ken, Kennesaw; two grandchildren, Meredith Rosson, and her husband, Kevin and Jordan Baird and his wife, Charis; six great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and friends also survive.
A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, September 26, 2014 at 2pm in Dykes Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Mikel Garrett and Dr. James Baird officiating. A granddaughter, Mrs. Meredith Rosson, will deliver the eulogy. Interment will follow in East View Cemetery with military honors rendered by the American Legion Post #5 Honor Guard.
The family will receive friends at Dykes Creek Baptist Church on Friday from Noon until the service hour. At other hours, they may be contacted at the residence.
Pallbearers are asked to assemble at Dykes Creek Baptist Church on Friday at 1:30pm and include: grandsons, Jordan Baird and Kevin Rosson; nephews, Don Standridge, Tommy Standridge and Robert Thacker; brother-in-law, Steve Carver. The Senior Adult Men’s Sunday School Class and the Deacons of Dykes Creek Baptist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in his memory to the Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries, Inc., P. O. Box 329, Palmetto, GA 30268 or to Heyman HospiceCare at Floyd, P. O. Box 163, Rome, GA 30162.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to Dr. Joseph Herren and Heyman HospiceCare at Floyd.
Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel and Crematory, has charge of the funeral arrangements.