Burma Fay Thomas

Burma Fay Thomas: 12/28/39 – 6/8/20, Scottsboro, AL Children: Shelia Ann Thomas – daughter; Gerry Lee Thomas Jr. – son, wife Kathy; Debra (Debbie) Lynn Barnett – daughter, husband Rick Preceded in death by: Husband – Gerry Lee Thomas, Sr. “Sonny” Mother and Father: Louis and Jeannette Farmer Sisters: Louise O’tinger, Irma Farmer and Lois Farmer Brothers: J. L. Farmer, Rayford Farmer, Vondell Farmer, Kenneth Farmer, Marlon Farmer, Arlon Farmer Burma retired as a computer operator at the Revere Copper & Brass Company and Norandal Aluminum Company in Scottsboro, AL. Burma owned and operated the Sand Mountain Sorghum Company, founded by her father in 1950. She successfully expanded the company across the southeast United States. If you ever met her, she would say, “these are the best products, I’ll give you a sample”. There was no order too small, she loved her customers and would deliver no matter how far. Burma Thomas was an accomplished professional bass fisherman with a true love of fishing. She fished bass tournaments across the United States from New York to New Mexico. Burma started fishing professionally in 1976 when there were only men’s tournaments. The first men’s professional bass tournament that Burma fished was in August 1976, finishing in 6th place. Burma fished women’s professional circuits from 1981 to 1997. During this time, she achieved many accomplishments: won 17 titles across the United States yielding her 17 fully rigged Ranger Bass Boats; was named Angler of the Year three times; won 2 Classic World Championships; she was highlighted in several magazines and newspapers; published in the 1983 Encyclopedia Britannica Yearbook; she was the only female on the Evinrude Team, Fish Formula Team, and GNB Battery Team; and had published Pro-League Bass Fishing Cards. Burma loved sharing fishing with others - she was a presenter at Special Olympics, guest speaker at Boys & Girls Ranch, and taught fishing techniques at seminars and special events. Her peers gave her the nickname “Burning Burma” because she was an unstoppable force on the fishing trail. Burma loved living on the Tennessee River where she enjoyed watching osprey, eagles, finches, humming birds, and most of all “her” wood ducks. Now she can fish again with her favorite partner “Sonny”. The family will have private services, with Rainsville Funeral Home, Inc. directing, www.rainsvillefuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, please make donations to www.castinncatchin.org.

Burma Fay Thomas

December 28, 1939 - June 8, 2020