Amelita Jenkins Thomas, 82, a lifelong Gloucester County resident, passed away on Friday, January 3, 2025. Amelita graduated in 1960 from Gloucester High School and attended James Madison University before beginning her federal career at NASA Langley Research Center. Her career covered over 31 years at the Naval Weapons Station Yorktown in the Safety and Public Works Departments. Amelita was a member of Providence Baptist Church and an active participant in civic organizations, including The King’s Daughters and Sons, Abingdon Woman’s Club, Walter Reed Garden Club, the Samaritan Group, and Gloucester Daffodil Society. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Kenneth and Lolita Ambrose Jenkins. Amelita is survived by her husband, John M. Thomas; daughter, Holly Thomas Handy (Anthony); granddaughters, Lauren Handy and Kristin Handy Sapperstein (Paul), and beloved great-grandchildren, Monroe and Ellett Sapperstein. She is also survived by a sister, Rita Jenkins Fletcher; niece, Paige Fletcher Bland (Jay), and nephew, Nicholas Bland. The family will receive friends at Hogg Funeral Home on Friday, January 10, 2025, from 6-7:30 p.m. A funeral service, conducted by Pastor Nate Varnadore, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Providence Baptist Church, Hayes, Virginia, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. In memory of Amelita, contributions may be made to Providence Baptist Church, 3501 Providence Road, Hayes, Va. 23072, or the Samaritan Group, Inc., P.O. Box 784, White Marsh, Va. 23183.

Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home.