Cornelius Thomas

Cornelius C. Thomas, 93, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, July 9, 2011, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

He was born July 8, 1918, to Reuben and Annie Brandon Thomas. He and Lucretia E. Gaden were married Feb. 6, 1946, in Blytheville, Ark. She passed away April 23, 2003.

Thomas was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, and was active in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. He received the Bronze Star, Victory Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

Cornelius had been a construction worker, retiring from Laborers Local 1104, formerly AFL-CIO 574.

He was of the Baptist belief.

Survivors include a son, Edward Pikes Sr. of Cape Girardeau; three grandsons, Edward Pikes Jr., Edmund and Elvin Jerome Pikes, all of Cape Girardeau; two granddaughters-in-law, Willa Pikes and Angela Pikes of Cape Girardeau; a great-grandson, Gerson Pikes of Puerto Rico; a brother, Reuben Thomas; and a sister-in-law, Alvina Glover of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and three sisters.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to service time Friday at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Johnny Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Lorimier Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.