Deona Lee Thomas

Ms. Deona Lee Thomas, age 69, of Hickman, TN, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025. Ms. Thomas was born December 15, 1955 in Nashville, TN, a daughter of the late Joseph Benjamin Thomas and Frances Lee Gwaltney Thomas. She was the great-great-great grandchild of John and Elizabeth Carroll Gwaltney. She was also preceded in death by Uncle; William Ralph (Elizabeth) Gwaltney, and Aunts; Lydia Oleta Gwaltney and Maurine (James) Yancey. Deona Lee attended elementary school at Walter Stokes Elementary in Nashville beginning in 1962, going from 1st-7th grade. She then attended J.T. Moore Junior High School for 8th and 9th grades. Following junior high, she attended and graduated from Hillsboro High School in Nashville in 1974 as Salutatorian. She then earned a Bachelor degree in Music Education from Belmont University in Nashville in 1978 and a Master degree in Music Education from Peabody/Vanderbilt University in 1980. Ms. Thomas was the music teacher for Crievewood Methodist Church in Nashville during the Spring of 1980. She was also Smith County Preschool Music Teacher at the Carthage United Methodist Church from 1985-1995. Ms. Thomas has been a longtime private piano and organ teacher since 1982. She was involved in numerous organizations. Her current involvements include: Sigma Alpha Iota, American Guild of Organists, Kappa Delta Pi, and Caney Fork Chapter of the DAR where she served as Regent for two terms and later elected Honorary Regent. She was the Caney Fork DAR state accompanist for six years and currently served as Chaplain. Her past membership and involvement include: Music Educators National Conference, American College of Musicians, Who’s Who in America – 2006, Smith County Historical and Genealogical Society, Smith County Heritage Museum Board Member – 2012. Ms. Thomas joined Hickman Baptist Church on June 18, 1964 at the age of 8, after she was saved and baptized. She served the church in many roles and was very active. She was the organist since 1978, Girls in Action Leader since 1980, Younger Children Sunday School teacher since 1980, Vacation Bible School teacher since 1974, Children’s Bible Drill Coordinator for North Central Region from 1996-2019, Church Clerk since 2019, and New Salem Association Women Missionary Union Director since 1980. She had perfect attendance in Sunday School for 32 years. Ms. Thomas is survived by first cousin; Carolyn (Don) Midgett along with many other cousins, church family, special friends, and music students. Funeral Services for Ms. Thomas are scheduled to be conducted at Hickman Baptist Church on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 3PM with Bro. Russ Stephens officiating. Interment will follow in the Baird Memorial Cemetery in Hickman with Bro. Mark Stinnett officiating. Visitation will be at the Hickman Baptist Church on Friday from 9AM until service time at 3PM. Memorials in Ms. Thomas’s memory can be made to Hickman Baptist Church. Pallbearers: Robert Lee Smith, Ronnie Smith, Mark Medley, Jayson West, Dusty Miller, and Dakota Jopes. Honorary Pallbearers: Daughters of American Revolution (DAR), Women’s Missionary Union, and former and present music students.

Deona Lee Thomas

December 15, 1955 - July 7, 2025