Jedidiah Luke Thomas of LaVergne was born April 7 at 9:49 p.m. and died at 11:07 p.m. at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital.
He was diagnosed with Acrania/Anencephaly at 12 weeks gestation and his parents were told this diagnosis was “incompatible with life.” Though his parents knew the time they would have with Jedidiah would be short if they got any time at all, they chose to celebrate every moment of life God granted. Every kick, craving, hiccup, ultrasound picture, heartbeat, and opportunity to share him with others was cherished. Jedidiah came into this world and left it only ever knowing unconditional love. Although his life was brief, he has touched and blessed so many simply by existing. The family of Jedidiah is grateful for the medical team at St. Thomas Midtown for honoring this sweet boy’s life with such care and respect.
He is survived by his loving parents, Nathan and Jamie Thomas; adoring brothers, Jackson and Lincoln; grandparents, Janet and Steve Thomas of Gallatin, Steve Beard of McMinnville, LaMaine and Stan Martin of McMinnville; great-grandparents, Brenda Hanley, Lawrence and Miriam Dodson of Roanoke, Va.; aunts and uncles, Alan and Kim Young, Mike and Holly Grissom, Terry Beard, Greg and Joni Mills of Roanoke, Earl and Bonnie Dodson of Roanoke and many cousins and other relatives.
Jedidiah was laid to rest by immediate family at Mt. View Cemetery on April 9. An open memorial service will be held at 6 p.m., Saturday, April 16 at New Vision Baptist Church at 1750 Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations for a Cuddle Cot be gifted to St. Thomas Midtown Hospital in Jedidiah’s memory.