Late Saturday evening, on August 22, 2015, Carolyn L. Aldrich Thomas "affectionately called "GG" by the grandchildren transitioned from this earthly life into eternal life.

Born in Chesterfield County, South Carolina on January 17,1938 to the late Jim and Geneva Hammond. Carolyn was the loving wife of Pastor James W. Thomas and would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on August 30th.

Carolyn matriculated through the public schools of Chesterfield County, SC, having graduated from Pine Forrest High School , McBee, SC. Shortly after graduating high school she married the love of her life and followed her heart to Lancaster, Pa. She then enrolled in the Willow Street Vo-Tech Nursing Program and graduated in 1978 as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Her nursing career began at the Lancaster General Hospital and spanned for well over forty years.

She explored other healthcare opportunities at Lancashire Hall and Manor Care ( formerly White Hall), however her true love of nursing and caregiving was found to be in private duty nursing. Many of her clientele were loved ones of prominent Lancaster County families which included but were not limited to the Mack, Bare, Moyer, Snyder,Gerhart, Beuter,and Esther families. She shared a special bond with one of her patient's who affectionately called Carolyn her "adopted daughter" and in turn the family referred to Mrs. Esther's as "Nanny Esther's " whom she received into her own home and cared for her until her passing.

Carolyn was a life-long member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, and she loved and adored her church family. Her Christian duties included but we're not limited to Director of the children's choir and faithful usher.

She leaves to cherish her memory a loving and devoted husband, one son, Jeffrey Hammond ( Laureen); three daughters, Vanessa D. Preston (Dean), Dietra, and Karen Thomas (Frank); nine grandchildren: Quincy and Sheneil Hammond; Corey and Jonathan Robinson; Tiffiny Gilmore; Brandie Preston; Octavia Hayden (Jorge), Danesha Butler and Donte Walker; nine great-grandchildren; five sisters: Frances Matthews(Norman)of Silver Springs, Marg Hammond(Greg)and Dorothy Scott, of McBee, SC, Kathy Charles of Georgia, and Janice Johnson(Champion) of Germany; one brother, Jack Hammond (Barbara)of Bethune, SC; three sisters- in – law ( Rosa Mae, Doris, and Carrie Mae), three brothers- in – law ( Rufus, Lavern and Randy), a godson Aldwin and a host of nieces , nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends. Two sisters, Mary and Janet and a son, James Terry preceded her in death.

The pride and joy moments in her last days came from spending quality time with her great-grandsons: Zion, Dashawn, Devin and De'von; the breakfast club and her sister friends: Rebecca, Rosetta,Carolyn and Martha.

Homegoing services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 701 N. Lime St., Lancaster, PA 17602 with Rev. Roland Forbes officiating. Family and friends will be received from 6 to 9 PM on Friday, August 28, 2015 at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 414 E. King St, Lancaster and again one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.

Kindly omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to the Carolyn L. Thomas Nursing and Health Sciences Scholarship Fund, C/O the EBC Education Committee, 701 N. Lime St, Lancaster, PA 17602.