Edward Thomas

Edward Poka Thomas

Grand Coteau Funeral services for Edward Poka Thomas, 44, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2008, in the Zion Travelers Baptist Church in Sunset. Interment will follow in the Zion Travelers Cemetery in Sunset. He passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2008 at Doctor's Hospital after a brief illness.

Rev Robert Soloman, pastor of Zion Travelers Baptist Church will conduct the services.

Poka was known for having a big smile and big heart, trying to help those in need. He was respected and loved by all who knew him. He was a Renaissance Man, entrepreneur, an expert gardener, a carpenter, plumber, painter, and mechanic. He was interested in world affairs and history, and loved ball games, hunting, dancing and travel.

He was born in St. Landry Parish, on March 23, 1963. He was a track star at Sunset High School and earned a scholarship to USL, where he spent two and half years. While there he also ran with the USL Track Team. In later years, he helped coach several Beau Chene High School students in Track.

He helped his companion, Rosa Henry, raise her children. He often took the boys with him and showed them how to work, emphasizing the value of an education. More recently, he liked playing with the grandchildren and reading to them in the evenings.

Survivors include his wife, Ms. Rosa Henry; his adopted son, Herman Johnson; four step-children, Billy Wayne Henry and his wife, Jessica, Robert Lee Henry and his wife, Monique, Suzanne Henry and husband Eugene and Kelly Henry; one sister, Sylvia Thomas of Sunset; one brother, James Thomas of Atlanta, Ga; two step- sisters, Carol Barlow and Madeline Barlow; twelve grandchildren; two aunts, Ella Lawrence of Sunset and Virgie Hebert of Cankton; uncle, Edward Miniex of Lake Charles; two godchildren, Tyler Lisa Henry and Myra Henry.

Poka was preceded in death by her parents: Lester Thomas, Sr. and Yola Put Miniex Thomas; one brother, Lester Thomas, Jr.; one sister, Yola Mae Thomas.

Pallbearers will be Carl Thibodeaux, Charles Evan Thomas, Billy Henry, Eugene Etienne, Edward Etienne and Robert Lee Henry. Honorary pallbearers are John L. Olivier, Dr. Lucius Doucet, Jack Proffitt, Michael Lemelle and Frank Olivier.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 7, 2008, from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm in the Sibille funeral Home in Grand Coteau. A rosary will be recited on Friday at 7:00 pm. The funeral home will re-open at 8:00 am on Saturday until the time of services.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Grand Coteau.

Visitation

Sibille Funeral Home
1473 I-49 South Service Road
Grand Coteau, LA  70541
Friday, March 7, 2008
410 p.m.Sat. 8 a.m.10:30 a.m.

Service

Rosary Service

Sibille Funeral Home
1473 I-49 South Service Road
Grand Coteau, LA  70541
Friday, March 7, 2008
7:00 p.m.

Baptist Funeral Service

Zion Travelers Baptist Church
425 Budd Street
Sunset, LA  70584
Saturday, March 8, 2008
11:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Zion Travelers Baptist Church Cemetery
425 South Budd Street
Sunset, LA  70584