Ethel Elizabeth Hatcher Thomas
Ethel Elizabeth Hatcher Thomas, of Salem, Virginia, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of August 14, 2025, with her husband and daughter by her side.
Born on September 21, 1952, in Roanoke, Ethel was the third of four children born to John Corbin Hatcher and Clara Lena Leonard Hatcher. From an early age, Ethel's warmth, humor, and love for family were central to who she was.
In April 1973, she married David Booth Thomas, and together they began a life built on love and resilience. They welcomed their first daughter, Jennifer, in 1975, and after moving to Salem in 1981, they completed their family with the birth of their second daughter, Stephanie. David and Ethel shared 52 years of marriage, remaining side by side in Salem through every joy and hardship.
Ethel adored her daughters and grandchildren with her whole heart. Life brought challenges, but she met them with a unique combination of courage, humor, and affection. Her silliness brought joy to those around her and became one of the defining legacies she leaves behind. Family and friends will forever cherish memories filled with her laughter, playfulness, and love.
Ethel was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Jennifer Karen Thomas — a loss that changed her deeply — as well as her parents, Corbin and Clara Hatcher; her niece, Amanda Custer; and her sister-in-law, Pat Hatcher. In her passing, we find comfort in knowing she is reunited with Jenny and her treasured mother, “Grandma John.”
She is survived by her husband, David; her daughter, Stephanie Picard; her son-in-law, Scott Gibson; and her beloved grandchildren, Sophia Gibson and Jack Picard. Ethel also leaves behind her siblings: Mary Lee (Cline) Brubaker, John Corbin “Butch” Hatcher II, and Angela (David) Barker, along with their children and grandchildren — all of whom were dear to her heart.
The family will receive friends at Lotz Funeral Home in Salem on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 from 10:00 until 11:00 am. A graveside service will follow at 12:30 pm in Fairmont Baptist Church Cemetery in Boones Mill with Pastor Greg Irby officiating.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate nurses and staff of the Lewis-Gale MICU. Your kindness, empathy, and dedication brought dignity and comfort to Ethel in her final days. We are forever grateful.
