Mr. Thomas W. Lawhorne, Sr.

October 24, 1924 - November 27, 2011

Mr. Thomas Walter Lawhorne, Sr., 87, passed away November. 27, 2011 at Kindred Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday December 4, 2011 at the First Baptist Church with interment to follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery with Dr. Ben Bush officiating. Mr. Lawhorne was born October 24, 1924 in Worth County, Georgia to the late Onie Shepard and Alice Saunders Lawhorne where he has lived most of his life. He was the owner of Lawhorne Realty and Lawhorne Storage. Thomas was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church in Sylvester, Ga. He was the mayor of Sylvester for over 20 years and was previously a Councilman. He adored Sylvester and Worth County and his many friends here. One of his favorite activities was to ride through the county and tell stories about the places he saw, his experiences and friends that he loved. Mr. Lawhorne was a member of the Sylvester Kiwanis Club for over 50 years, a Shriner, Mason and member of Worth Lodge #194 F. & A. M., a former Director with the Sylvester Banking Co. He loved watching the Georgia Bulldogs play football. Thomas bought his first car at age 16 with money he made delivering newspapers. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was loved and admired by many. Mr. Lawhorne is survived by his wife Susan Brady Lawhorne, son Dr. Thomas W. Lawhorne, Jr. (Susan), grandchildren; Dr. Gervaise L. Gerstner, Dr. Thomas W. Lawhorne, III (Claire), great-grandchildren; Grace and Olivia Gerstner, step-children; Thomas P. Johnson, III (Gina), E. Tracy Johnson (Melissa), Wendy R. Konig (Greg), step-grandchildren; Juliana, Philip and Alexander Johnson, Jordan and Connor Johnson, Maggie, Fiona, Graham and Piper Konig, who was born on Thomas' birthday to his delight. His beloved dogs were his dear Charlie and Punkin. Thomas is also survived by several nieces and one nephew. Mr. Lawhorne was preceded in death by his first wife of 54 years Gervaise Walea Lawhorne. The family will receive friends on Saturday (TODAY) from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Banks Funeral Home in Sylvester, Georgia. For those desiring, memorials made be made to First Baptist Church P.O. Box 309 Sylvester GA 31791, Gideon's International P.O. Box 5303 Sylvester GA 31791 American Lung Association 1104 W. 3rd. Ave. Albany, GA., 31707, American Heart Association P.O. Box 409410 Atlanta, GA 30384. or to a charity of your choice. Many thanks to Dr. Hoskinson, Dr. Boomer, and all the many support personnel at Kindred Hospital in Tulsa, OK. who gently cared for Thomas during his illness. I will be forever grateful. Sign our online guest registry at www.banksfh.com Banks Funeral Home in Sylvester is in charge of arrangements