Theresa Kay Thomas, 69 of Whiteside was called home on Sunday, March 8. She was born on September 22, 1956 in Bridgeport, Alabama to Charles D. Smedley and Rhoda Jones Smedley. Theresa lived her life with a gentle spirit and a quiet strength that touched everyone who knew her. She found joy in the simple, meaningful moments, tending to her garden, getting lost in a good book, working on puzzles, cooking meals for those she loved, and unwinding with video games on her phone. Her friendly nature and free‑spirited heart made her easy to love and impossible to forget. Above all, Theresa cherished her family. She adored her children and grandchildren, and nothing brought her more happiness than spending time with them. Her love for them was steady, unconditional, and deeply felt. Theresa’s presence will be profoundly missed, but her warmth, kindness, and the memories she created will continue to live on in the hearts of those she loved.
Theresa is preceded in death by her father Charles D. Smedley, mother Rhoda Jones Smedley, son Larry David Thomas Jr., brother David Smedley, sister Sandra Prince and nephew Gene Guffey.
Left to cherish her memories are her son Chris (Lindsey) Dalton, sister Peggy (Ronny) Morris, grandchildren Jade & Ava Dalton, Tyler Cloud and Mariah Prince, several nieces, nephews, as well as other family members and friends.
Visitation was on Friday, March 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tate Funeral Home in Jasper.
Funeral services were also on Friday, March 13 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Tate Funeral Home in Jasper, with Michael Irwin who officiated.
Theresa was laid to rest on Friday, March 13 at Ladd Cemetery in Guild immediately after the funeral services were held.
Pallbearers were Chris Dalton, Ronny Morris, David Smedley, Tommy French, John Swoda and Rayburn Price.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Tate Funeral Home, LLC, 950 Mel Dixon Lane, Jasper, Tennessee 37347, 423-942-9500.
The Marion Tribune – March 19, 2026