Venola “Nola” Thomaston, 87, of Fairhope, Alabama, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2025, surrounded by those she loved most.
Nola was a woman whose heart overflowed with love for her family. She worked for many years with Judy Bond and Liz Taylor Clothing, where she made lifelong friendships and was admired for her dedication and skill. But more than anything, she found her greatest joy in being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She cherished every memory, every keepsake, and every family moment. Nola loved to bake, filling her home with warmth and sweetness, and she had a special fondness for red birds, delighting in their cheerful presence. Her sentimental spirit was part of what made her so special — she held tightly to the people and the things that mattered most, always reminding her family of the importance of love and togetherness.
Nola is survived by her daughter, Vickie; her son, Jack; her beloved grandchildren, Terry, Tammi, Trae, Jerry Lee, James, Alex, Jackie, and John Gregory; as well as her great-grandchildren, Davontae, Bryson, Mariah, Adalynn, Zander, Bella, Kendall and Nia; and many other relatives and friends.
She is now reunited in Heaven with her sons, Jerry and Jimmy, her parents, and her sisters, Deloris, Juanita, Alberta, Zeola, and Or Dee and her brother, John.
Her family will forever remember her gentle smile, her kind words, the sweet treats she lovingly prepared, and the joy she found in the simple pleasures of life. Though she will be deeply missed, her legacy of love and memories will continue to live on in all who knew her.
A celebration of Nola’s life will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 5:00 PM at Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, with a memorial service to follow at 7:00 PM. All who knew and loved her are welcome to attend and share in honoring her beautiful life.
Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.
I met Nola when I worked for her at the Judy Bond store she managed. Even though I was 17 years younger, we became close friends and remained so for 34 years. I loved her zest for life and her kind and caring ways. I admired her strength, rooted in her deep faith. She was a friend, a confidante, a mentor and always a loving presence in my life. Our last visit was spent reminiscing and laughing about times past and expressing how much our friendship meant to each other. There will never be another beautiful soul like her. I loved her dearly and will miss her until we meet again.