Dorothy "Dot" Lee Rich Thomas

 Dorothy Lee Rich Thomas, or more commonly known as Dot Rich, hit heaven’s gates wide open on September 4th, 2024. She was born February 23, 1935 to Jess and Ethel Rich of Calhoun. Dot was a 1953 graduate of Calhoun High School, where she loved to play basketball. She often said she would have failed her Senior year if she could have still played the sport. After she graduated she began her journey as a woman blazing the trail in the business world. Always looking to make money, she focused most of her younger adult days on her career. Some of her favorite stories to share were of her title as Yo-Yo Champion in 1950, her run for City of Calhoun Alderman in 1970, her mission trip to Guatamala and many other trips that she took. 

 On December 18, 1972 she married a farmer from Scottsville, Grethel Thomas, and the city girl moved to the country. Dot made it well known that she did not like farm life, but stood beside her husband whenever he needed her. Their lives changed, when in 1977 they surprisingly welcomed a daughter, Greta Leigh, to this world. Throughout her life she worked at several places around Calhoun - Dixie Bell, Georgia Samplebook, First United Methodist Church, UGA Extension Office, Jimmy Payne’s Coast to Coast - just to name a few. Dot spent her last couple of years at Morning Pointe where she loved visiting before she became a resident. She loved being around and talking to people. 

 She could wheel and deal with the best and never met a stranger. If you didn’t know her before she started talking, you knew her by the time she left. Dot was well known and loved in the community. She was a member of Belmont Baptist Church, but loved visiting around and hearing the word preached. It was a guarantee that if you stopped to talk with her, she would tell you about how blessed she was and about Jesus!

 She was preceded in death by her husband of 24 years, Grethel Montgomery Thomas, her parents, Jesse and Ethel Rich, her brother, Billy Rich, and nieces Kay Rich Tatum and Renee Rich Henry. All of which met her at the gates with arms wide open. Throughout her life she wore many hats - daughter, sister, mother, Mimi (probably her favorite), politician, friend, caregiver, prayer warrior, entrepreneur, missionary, and Christ follower! She is survived by her daughter, Greta Thomas Hughes, granddaughter and the apple of her eye, Catelyn Rae Hughes, and her sister-in-law, Marguerite Rich. Also surviving were several nieces, nephews, cousins and a whole bunch of special friends who were like family.

 The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 5, 2024 from 2 PM until 4 PM at Thomas Funeral Home. 

 Funeral Services will be conducted on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 4 PM from the Chapel of Thomas Funeral Home with Reverend Eddie Brannon and Reverend Jerry Adair officiating. Burial will follow in Fain Cemetery.

 Pallbearers serving include: Haley O’Neal, Mike Reynolds, Jake Sheriff, Jeff Tatum, Dunn Henry, Flipper McDaniel, Bud Owens, and Kip Crump.

 In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Dot may be made to the Marsha McDaniel Memorial Fund or to Trinity Baptist Church: Children’s and Youth’s Ministry. 

 You may leave the family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com

 Thomas Funeral Home has proudly been entrusted with the care of Dorothy Lee Rich Thomas.