Cecil Forrest Thomas, Jr.

Nahunta- Cecil “Forrest” Thomas, Jr., 91, of Nahunta passed away Friday (March 6, 2026) at his daughter’s residence after an extended illness.

Born in Nichols, GA his parents were Cecil Forrest Thomas, Sr. and Lillie Mae Turner Thomas. He is also preceded in death by his wife, Laura “Margaret” Crews Thomas; a granddaughter, Erin Williams; 2 sisters, Martha Joiner and Mary Carter; and a brother, Jimmy Thomas..

Forrest was a teacher and coach for Brantley County High School and served in the United States Army. He was a founding member of Southside Baptist Church and a member of Hayner Hunting Club. Coach Forrest began his coaching career at Nahunta High School in 1959. He was the basketball coach for the girls and boys from 1968-1977, where he was the State Runner up in 1963 and 1964 for the girls basketball and was the baseball coach from 1956-1965. He was the first coach at Brantley County High, where he coached the girls and boys basketball, baseball, and was the assistant coach for football in the 1970s. Coach Forrest was the track coach for Brantley County High School till his retirement in 1987. He was an avid sports fans who enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking. But most of all he loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include his 4 daughters and sons-in-law, Laura Giles (David) of Milledgeville, Sybil Dykes (Ronald) of Nahunta, Celia Horne (David) of Nahunta and Marcie Lee (Dale) of Waycross; 8 grandchildren, Cole Dykes (Kenzley) of Nahunta, Kenneth Horne (Kathryn) of Maryville, TN, Grant Giles of Milledgeville, Zachary Horne (Chole) of Nahunta, Megan Giles (Fiancé, Jacob) of Augusta, Shane Lee of Waycross, Gage Horne of Nahunta and Addie Lee of Waycross; 6 great grandchildren and one on the way, Brody Williams, Ryder Dykes, Cash Dykes, Ayden Williams, Colee Jane Dykes, and Adalynn Stone; 2 brothers and sisters-in-law, George Thomas (Glenda) of Waycross and Hymerick Thomas (Kaye) of Nahunta; 2 sisters, Lillie Gaulding of Conyers and Anne Strickland of Jacksonville, FL; and also several nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Visitation will be held Monday evening (March 9, 2026) from 6pm-8pm at Southside Baptist Church.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday afternoon (March 10, 2026) at 3pm at Southside Baptist Church with Rev. Phillip Cochran and Rev. Ernie Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Twin Rivers Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Cole Dykes, Kenneth Horne, Zachary Horne, Grant Giles, Gage Horne, Brody Williams and Ryder Dykes. Honorary pallbearers will be Shane Lee and Hayner Hunting Club members.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Southside Baptist Church mission program, 550 School St. Nahunta, GA 31553 and Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway Brunswick, GA 31525.

Arrangements are with Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.fryefh.com.