NAHUNTA – Cecil “Forrest” Thomas, Jr., 91, of Nahunta passed away Friday, March 6, 2026 at his daughter’s residence after an extended illness.
Born in Nichols, his parents were Cecil Forrest Thomas, Sr. and Lillie Mae Turner Thomas. He is also preceded in death by his wife, Laura “Margaret” Crews Thomas; a granddaughter, Erin Williams; two sisters, Martha Joiner and Mary Carter; and a brother, Jimmy Thomas.
Thomas was a teacher and coach for Brantley County High School and served in the United States Army. He was a founding member of Southside Baptist Church and a member of Hayner Hunting Club.
Coach Thomas began his coaching career at Nahunta High School in 1959. He was the basketball coach for the girls’ and boys’ teams from 1968-1977. His girls’ teams were state runnerup in 1963 and 1964. He also coached baseball coach from 1956-1965.
Thomas
Thomas was the first coach at Brantley County High, where he coached girls’ and boys’ basketball, baseball, and was the assistant coach for football in the 1970s. He was the track coach for Brantley County High School until his retirement in 1987.
Coach Thomas was an avid sports fans who enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking. But most of all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Survivors include his four daughters and sonsin- law, Laura Giles (David) of Milledgeville, Sybil Dykes (Ronald) of Nahunta, Celia Horne (David) of Nahunta and Marcie Lee (Dale) of Waycross; eight grandchildren, Cole Dykes (Kenzley) of Nahunta, Kenneth Horne (Kathryn) of Maryville, Tenn., Grant Giles of Milledgeville, Zachary Horne (Chole) of Nahunta, Megan Giles (fiancé, Jacob) of Augusta, Shane Lee of Waycross, Gage Horne of Nahunta and Addie Lee of Waycross; six great grandchildren and one on the way, Brody Williams, Ryder Dykes, Cash Dykes, Ayden Williams, Colee Jane Dykes, and Adalynn Stone; two brothers and sisters-in-law, George Thomas (Glenda) of Waycross and Hymerick Thomas (Kaye) of Nahunta; two sisters, Lillie Gaulding of Conyers and Anne Strickland of Jacksonville, Fla.; and also several nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
A funeral service was held Tuesday afternoon, March 10, 2026 at Southside Baptist Church with Rev. Phillip Cochran and Rev. Ernie Thomas officiating.
Burial followed in Twin Rivers Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers were his grandsons, Cole Dykes, Kenneth Horne, Zachary Horne, Grant Giles, Gage Horne, Brody Williams and Ryder Dykes. Honorary pallbearers were Shane Lee and Hayner Hunting Club members.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Southside Baptist Church mission program, 550 School St., Nahunta, 31553 and Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway Brunswick, GA 31525.
Arrangements were with Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.fryefh.com.
