Lela Mae Rigsby Thomas, 86, of Sprinkle Creek Road, went home to be with her Lord, Thursday, December 13, 2018. She was the daughter of the late Wade and Blaine Buckner Rigsby and a lifelong resident of Madison County. Mrs. Thomas was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Mars Hill VFW Post #5483. She loved walking, hiking and gardening. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by two sons, Dorman and Dewayne Thomas; a sister, Carolyn Honeycutt; and brother, JB Rigsby. Mrs. Thomas was survived by her husband of 64 years, JD Thomas; daughter, Kim Thomas; son, Mike Thomas (Pam); sister, Marilyn Rice; grandchildren, Greg Thomas, Nichole Buckner, Jason Thomas, and Stephen Thomas; great grandchildren, Kael and Lydia Thomas, and Zane Buckner; several nieces and nephews, and special niece, Debbie Debrow. A funeral service will be held at 12pm Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at California Creek Baptist Church, where she was a member and sang in the choir. Reverends Josh McDevitt and Mike Thomas will officiate. Burial will be in Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. Jason and Stephen Thomas, Kelvin Rice, Dean Sales, Fred Debrow, and Victor Buckner will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 5-7 Monday at Blue Ridge Funeral Service. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at John F. Keever Solace Center for their loving care. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.