Twelve days  before  her 96th birthday, Castine L. Thomas of Hampton passed away peacefully.  Born on September 1, 1920, in Tar Heel, North Carolina, Castine was one of nine children who have all preceded her in death.  After high school, she completed nursing school at North Carolina State University in Raleigh and moved to the Peninsula in 1943, meeting the love of her life, John Thomas.  Together they raised 5 boys. She utilized her nursing skills to take care of her family.   From Vietnam injuries for Jake to the daily care she provided for her son David,  who was a quadriplegic from a trampoline accident in 1972, Castine's nursing skills were invaluable to her family.

Affectionately known as "Granny",   she was the world's greatest "Baseball Mom," attending baseball games from little league through college in support of her sons from 1952 to 1976.  At the age of 92, she threw out the first pitch at a Peninsula Pilots game.  The following year she tossed out the first pitch at a scholarship benefit game in honor of her son David at the ODU vs. VMI game at the War Memorial Stadium.

Castine was a faithful member of Northside Christian Church in York County, where she was the oldest active member.  An excellent example of a Christian woman and mother, she had many caring friends in the Philothean Bible School Class; she also served in the church nursery in her younger years. She was a Hampton resident for 73 years. She lived the last two years of her life with her son Howard and his wife Patty in Poquoson.  She was a wonderful person and will be missed by all who knew her.

Castine is preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, John H. Thomas, a son, John M. Thomas and son, David W. Thomas.  She is survived by three sons, Jake Bryant (Alicia) of El Paso, Texas, Howard R. Thomas (Patty) of Poquoson, and Anthony S. Thomas (Lori Reed) of Charles City, VA.  She had seven grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren.  She also had many loving extended family members, wonderful caregivers, and faithful friends in her life.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday,  August 23, 2016 at Northside Christian Church by senior pastor Larry Jones, with interment to follow in Parklawn Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends at the church Monday from 6:30-8 pm and at other times in Howard and Patty's home in Poquoson.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her memory to Northside Christian Church.  Arrangements are in the care of R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home.