Thomas Lee "Tom" Jelks

Viewing will be from 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM on Friday, May 3, 2024 and 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Robert Massie Funeral Home. Services will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, May 4, 2024 at New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ with Rev. John S, Pope, pastor at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.

On February 20, 1947, a son was born to Tom Jelks and Burnerver Whitelow in Ripley, Tennessee. Thomas had two sisters, Annamae Branch and Carrie Jelks. They lived in Ripley, Tennessee and then in Dyersburg, Tennessee where he finished growing up. Thomas started working odd jobs after completing his sophomore year in High School. Being a man of many talents, he loved to fish, hunt and his passion was playing cards. He never met a stranger, and his friendly demeanor allowed him to socialize with anyone. For instance, while in the grocery store, a baby was acting up and once she looked at Thomas, she started to smile at him. The mother was surprised because her child had never responded to a stranger in that manner before. On another occasion, there was a little boy being disobedient to his mother. Thomas got his attention and the little boy stopped what he was doing and began listening to his mother. Even the birds loved Thomas because they would stop by the house when they heard his voice, and he would feed them and any animals that were hungry. Thomas had the heart of a veterinarian because he cared for and nursed all the hurting and hungry animals that stopped by our home until they were healed. God truly gave Thomas a loving and a calming spirit for all of God's creatures!

Thomas' first love was Versie Mann. This union produced two beautiful daughters, Ruth Ann, and Vernor, who he loved dearly. Thomas worked at the Buick factory in Flint, Michigan for eight years. He then moved on to work at Bill's Steel for the next eleven years. He travelled a lot between Michigan, Chicago, and Tennessee.

Thomas met his second love, Lillian Brown and they moved to San Angelo in 1987. He helped to raise her five children, Victoria, Frederick, Melissa, Tasha, and Sheena. He worked with E. J. Martin Concrete for two years and then he was employed by the San Angelo ISD. Thomas and Lillian were married in 1993 and they later divorced.

He later met and was united in holy matrimony to Wanda and helped to raise her two children, Shawn and Khadijah and he also helped to raise Jazmine, a niece. Thomas retired from the school district in 2013 and began working at Texas Test Fleet for the next six and a half years. He also worked as a COSA/SAISD crossing guard at Holiman Elementary.

Beginning in 2019, he worked at Grape Creek High School. Thomas was a strong man and he pursued excellence in all the work that he did. Being gifted and approachable, he was also considered an informal counselor. All the children at every school he was employed, loved, respected, and took the sound advice he ministered to heart. His achievements were many and Assistant Chief of Police, Robert P. Martinez, presented Thomas with a Citizen's Award medal for ensuring the safety of the students during a lockdown at Holiman Elementary. One parent was so thankful for Thomas' exceptional bravery that she commented to principal Danner in an email that Thomas had done the most in this emergency situation.

Thomas was a GREAT man that touched a lot of lives, and he certainly will never be forgotten.

He is preceded in death by his father, mother and two sisters.

His beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of his wife, Wanda; his children, Ruth Ann and husband Sam and Vernor and husband Mark; Shawn Gilbert, Khadijah Norton, Jazmine Payne and husband Feji, Victoria Johnson, Frederick Brown, Melissa Brown and husband Tommy, Natasha Brown and husband Mark, and Dr. Sheena Brown; grandchildren: Steve Lloydezae, Shameakia, Shayquesta, Jadea, Jayden, Jaiden, Mason, Dystiny, Shawn Jr., Charlie, Rodynn, Nora, Darius, Tevin, Jeremiah, Jaxton, Cayden, Bryce, Tatiana; great grandchildren: Amaya, Kelton, Sidni, Kamryn, Julia, Ryan, Kakylan, Jaaire, Taliaha, Marquarius, Bryson, Braylon, Brooklyn, Jaylani, Darius Jr., Kyndra, Leilani, and Alianna; and one nephew, Quentin and wife Anissa and their kids: Quania, Quamonte, and Donavan and a host of relatives, friends and loved ones.