Jane Gooch Thomas

Jane Gooch Thomas, 87, of Roanoke, passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2013. She began her education career teaching at the Academy Street School for two years. Following the ten years she spent raising her sons at home, she returned to teaching first grade at the Fort Lewis Elementary school for fifteen years. Preceding her in death were her parents, Octavious Price and Lola Williams Gooch; brother, Robert Gooch; and sister, Calois Blevins. Her surviving family includes her husband of 61 years, James (Jimmy) W. Thomas, Jr.; sons, James (Roby) Thomas, M.D., Ph.D and wife, Terri Hymel, M.D. of Gulf Breeze, FL, and Jeffrey Thomas and wife, Pam Clark Thomas of Winston-Salem, NC; grandchildren, Morgan Thomas and Natalie Jo Thomas of Gulf Breeze, FL; brother, Jack Gooch; and several nieces and nephews. A private service will be held at a later date for family members and friends. The Thomas family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, 540-389-5441.