Melvin Lewis Thomas Jr, age 76, passed away on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at St. Lukes Hospital in NYC, NY.
Melvin was a former resident of Russell and Wise County Virginia.
He was the son of the late Melvin Thomas Sr. and Dorothy Mae Ella Thomas Hill; also preceded in death by three brothers, Harry Lee Thomas, Henry Thomas and Norman Thomas; two sisters, Frances Thomas and Jeraldine Freeman; one niece, Sheila Fisher; one nephew, Wallace Foster Jr. and one grand-nephew Harry Lee Thomas.
He leaves to mourn: a wife, Rita Thomas (N.C): two daughters; Melvina Thomas, (NYC, NY) and Michelle Thomas (N.C.); one grandson; two sisters, Janie Barron, (NYC, NY), JoeAnn Foster, (Hampton, Va.); one brother, Garland Darnell Thomas, (NYC, NY); and a host of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and friends.
Special thanks to two devoted friends: Paul Day and Kirtis Schuemacher.

Funeral services for Melvin Lewis Thomas, Jr. will be held on Wednesday June 22, 2011 at2:00 PM at Estes Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be Wednesday June 22, 2011 at Miller's Temple Cemetery in Carbo, VA. Visitation will be held Tuesday after 6:00 P.M. at Estes Funeral Home. Arrangements by Estes Funeral Home, Coeburn, VA.