Brenda Thios

Brenda Gaye Thios, 71, of Colonial Heights went to meet her Lord on Friday September 7, 2012 after a long illness. Born in Oak Hill, West Virginia September 26, 1940, she was the daughter of William Miller and Hallie Gaye Jackson. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1958, and was one of two female cheerleaders in a previously all-male squad. Brenda graduated from Charleston School of Commerce and worked as a finance administrator at several local nursing homes and as a teaching aid in the Colonial Heights School System. She married her high school "sweetheart" John T. (Tom) Thios and this romance lasted for 54 years till her death. Brenda was a member of 1st Baptist Church, Petersburg, where she sang in the choir and was the church historian for many years. She was a brownie leader and enjoyed arts and crafts, gardening, traveling, and cooking. In addition to her hobbies, she was also a member of the Shepard's Center in Chester, VA and the Colonial Heights Junior Women's Club. Brenda survived cancer twice during her lifetime. Love of family, friends, and the Lord defined her life. She was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors are two children Kathy Thios Batten and husband (Lee) of Chester, VA and John T. Thios Jr. and wife (Veronika) of Fredericksburg, VA; three grandchildren, Kristen, Amanda, and husband (David) and Abigail, and a great-grandchild Aiden. Also surviving are two brothers, William Miller Jackson and wife (Lois) of Charelston, WV and Michael Wayne Jackson and wife (Lynn) of Pawleys Island, SC; one brother-in-law Sam Thios and wife (Bobbie) of Savannah, GA and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Massey Cancer Center of Virginia Commonwealth University at P.O. Box 980214, Richmond, VA 23298 (giving@vcu.edu) and can be reached at (804) 828-1450 or to First Baptist Church at 235 W. Washington Street, Petersburg, VA 23803 and can be reached at (804) 733-7484. The family will receive friends Tuesday, September 11, 2012 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory 2033 Boulevard Colonial Heights VA 23834. Funeral services will be held the following day, Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the same location.