HAMPTON — Dora Lee Thomas, affectionately known as “Queen Mama” and “Sissy”, 80, of Hampton, passed into the arms of her Heavenly Father on March 19, 2022. Born on July 24, 1941 in North Carolina to Lenwood and Mattie Martin, Dora spent her childhood in Washington, North Carolina before moving to New Jersey. She married her first love, Joe Smiley Nicholson, on June 9th, 1959, and was blessed with three daughters, Joann Mullen of Accokeek, Maryland, Janet Garner of Newport News, Virginia , and Judie Ross of Hampton, Virginia as well as one son, Joseph Nicholson. After the passing of Joe, she married her second love, Edward Thomas, and was blessed with four more children, Edwina Carter of Hampton, Virginia, Willie Earl of Newport News, Eric Thomas of Newark, New Jersey, bonus son James Edward Thomas, previously of New Jersey, and bonus daughter Vivian Scott.
Dora worked as a factory worker producing fragrances during her younger years. In her free time, she loved being around her children and grandchildren as they were her pride and joy. She also enjoyed reading her Bible, cooking and baking, doing hair, and most recently, her word search puzzles. Dora loved to dip Navy Snuff when permitted. She was a Godly woman who attended services at West Hampton Baptist Church when her health allowed. She was quick with a joke and loved nothing more than spending time with her family. Her loving nature, sense of humor, and beautiful smile will forever be missed.
Dora is preceded in eternal rest by her parents Lenwood and Mattie Martin; siblings Linwood Martin Jr., Ernest Martin, Queenie DeLoach, Willie Lee Martin, Edward Lee Martin, and Debra Ann Mallory; both her first and second husbands, Joe Smiley Nicholson and Edward Thomas; son, Joseph Nicholson; bonus son, James Edward Thomas (mother, Vera); and grandsons Russell DeJeres Bandy and Erick Khalil Thomas. She is survived by siblings Lizzel Carter, Leona Floyd, and Dorothy Mae Wright; sons, Willie Earl Nicholson and Eric Thomas; daughters, Joann Mullen, Judie Ross, Janet Garner (Joseph), Edwina Carter (Bobby), and Vivian Scott (mother, Irmgard); sister-in-law Devolium Poindexter (Bobby); brother-in-law Curtis Taylor; fellow “July Baby” Katherine Johnson; bonus daughters Brenda Carter and Kaylan Pavlock; special son-in-law Bobby Carter; special grandson, Jah’Kee Thomas; and a host of loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Please join the family for a visitation at 11 am on Saturday, April 2nd, 2022 at Altmeyer Funeral Home-Denbigh Chapel, 12893 Jefferson Ave, Newport News, Virginia 23608, followed by a homegoing service at 12 pm. A graveside service will follow at 2 pm at Hampton Memorial Gardens, 155 Butler Farm Rd, Hampton, VA 23666, with a repast to follow at West Hampton Baptist Church, 631 Aberdeen Rd, Hampton, VA 23661.