Mr. Oker Lee Thomas, 87, of Lillington died Saturday, March 27, 2010 at Brookfield Retirement Center in Lillington. Mr. Thomas was born on August 3, 1922 in Harnett County and was the son of the late Essie Clyde (Brown) and Clarence Tillman Thomas, Sr. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter Jane Carolyn Thomas and a brother, Harold Thomas of Lillington. Mr. Thomas was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving during World War II. He was an ordained Presbyterian Elder and a lifelong farmer.

Funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 29, 2010 at the Lillington Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. William Goodnight and Rev. Bertrand Pitchford officiating. Burial will be in Harnett Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Sunday at O'Quinn-Peebles Funeral Home and other times at his home.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, c/o Nancy Wright, 309 Cornelius-Harnett Blvd., Lillington, NC 27546.

Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife of 66 years, Golden Woodley Thomas; Son, Donnie Lee Thomas and wife Sandra of Lillington; Daughters, Betty Thomas Hathaway and husband Woodrow of High Point, Diane Thomas Faircloth Leonard and husband Clarence "Junior" of Asheboro, Dale Thomas Darroch of Lillington; Sisters, Frances Betancourt of Raleigh, Noralene Moore Stewart and Shirley Bain, both of Lillington, Ann Price of Roxboro; Brothers, Odell Thomas of Sanford, Ray Thomas, Clarence T. "Tommy" Thomas, Jr. and Danny Thomas, all of Lillington.

Grandchildren: David Thomas and wife Chris, Christy Thomas Nicholson and husband Steven, Scott Faircloth and wife Renee, Jason Faircloth and wife Shannon, Matthew Leonard, Karen Hathaway Mullins and husband Tim, Courtney Hathaway Beck and husband Tracy, and Jamie Darroch.

Great Grandchildren: Haley Nicholson; Nicole, Isaiah, and Olivia Faircloth; Andrew and Hannah Rose Mullins; and Brittany Darroch. Step grandchildren: Chris, Scott and Eric Brantley; Timothy Oldham and Janice Oldham Gatlin; Michael and Kevin Leonard. Step great grandchildren: Maggie Brantley; Marshall Oldham; Brian and Amy Gatlin; Stephen, Nathan, Rebekah, and Zachary Leonard; Chad, Matthew, Alana, Jessica, Savanna, and Michayla Leonard

The family will be using Ann's Florist (910) 893-9192.



Funeral service will be conducted 3:00 pm Monday, March 29, 2010 at the Lillington Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. William Goodnight and Rev. Bertrand Pitchford officiating. Burial will be in Harnett Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 pm Sunday at O'Quinn-Peebles Funeral Home other times at his home