Rev. Howard "PaPaw" Leslie Thomason, age 88 of Sparta, went home to be with his heavenly Father on Sunday, December 29, 2024, with his loving family by his side.

He was a retired ordained Bishop with the Church of God organization.  PaPaw started his ministerial work at the age of 17 with the love of his life "Nanny" by his side every step of the way.  God placed upon PaPaw an important calling on earth according to his purpose. Now Jesus has met him on the other side of the River Jordan to begin his new journey.

A Special Thank you to Hospice, they went above and beyond to keep PaPaw comfortable and well cared for while he transitioned to his next destination in Heaven.  Teresa Johnson treated him as if he was her father. God sent her to us.

He is survived by his 3 daughters :Linda (Butch) Kahl,  Karen (Mitchell) Neal, and Pennie (Eugene) Shrum

Grandchildren:  Ernest "Ted Man" Kahl, Jimmy (Jennifer) Neal, Leslie "Sassie Dawn" McCurry, Byron "Byner" Shrum,

Lakota "Koko" (Shelby) Shrum, along with a special adopted grandson: Logan (Makayla) Crain

Great-Grandchildren:  Haylee Neal, Hayden Neal, Eli McCurry, Carlee McCurry, Abby McCurry, Isabella Rae Shrum, Lydia "Liddy Cat" Shrum, Lincoln Shrum, and Lainey Geneva Shrum.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 1:00 pm  in the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in the Frasiers Chapel Cemetery.

The Family will receive friends from 4pm until 8 pm on Friday evening and from 9 am until service time on Saturday.