Funeral service will be 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at Crystal Springs Baptist Church; 4754 Blue Banks Loop Road, Northeast, Leland, NC 28451.  Burial will follow in the Skipper Hill Cemetery, Northwest Community.  Visitation will be at Crystal Springs Baptist Church from 5-7:00 P.M. on Tuesday.

Mother Viola McKoy Thomas Jacobs quietly and peacefully entered into eternal rest, Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at home, surrounded by family and loved ones.  "Vi" or "Aunt Vee" was born July 6, 1927, in the Northwest Community of Brunswick County to the wonderful parents, the late Emily and Lonnie C. McKoy Sr.  She was one of eight siblings born to this union.  During her very youthful years she became a member of Crystal Springs Missionary Baptist Church, under the spiritual guidance of Rev. A.H. Murphy. She remained dedicated to her Christian endeavors until the end of her earthly life.  Viola graduated from Williston Industrial School in 1944.  After high school she began her college education at North Carolina College in Durham, North Carolina now known as North Carolina Central University.  She later transferred to Fayetteville State Teachers College in Fayetteville, North Carolina, now known as Fayetteville State University (FSU).  She graduated from FSU in 1948, and began her noble career as an educator. She later received her master degree from North Carolina A&T State University I Greensboro, North Carolina. Her teaching assignments were Northwest Elementary School, Lincoln High School and Lincoln Primary School.  She taught the African-American children of this community and upon integration, all children for 30 plus years.  It was at Lincoln High School that she met fellow educator and her first husband, Benjamin Thomas (deceased), and they wed on June 5, 1957.  Vi later became the Librarian at Lincoln Primary School and ultimately retired in 1985. Shortly after, she married Clemmon "Fess" Jacobs (deceased). Viola's passion for education continued through her service as a substitute teacher at various schools and her participation on numerous committees and boards throughout the area.  In addition to her dedication and service to education, Vi was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, North Carolina jurisdiction, Prince Hall affiliation. She was also a member of the Grand United Order of Salem.  Preceding her departure were 2 children, Catherine Stallworth and Daniel Jacobs; 3 siblings, Pinkney "Bubber" Felder, James "Moses" McKoy, and Evelyn Ballard; 2 nephews, Walter "Button" Graham and Joseph "Pelo" Ballard; a very special friend, Gloria Wheeler Hawkins, who we are sure are having a great time again laughing about their days at FSU. She and her best friend Gloria were classmates and would often argue who was the class valedictorian.  To cherish her memories, she leaves behind: 5 children: Benjamin R. Thomas of the home, Howard Jacobs, Rosalyn Jones, Angelia Yvette Stephens, and Andrea Evette (Lionel) Keaton; 14 grandchildren: Benjamin R. Thomas, Jr., Amirrah Elisabeth Thomas, Vita Jacobs, Howard Jacobs, Jr., Clemmon Lewis Jacobs II, Steven Washington, Erica Bowen, Tre' Jones, Trista Jones, Toi Jones, Lionel Keaton, Jr., Lamar Keaton, Omari Stephens, and Kareen Stephens; 1 goddaughter: Helen Bryant Freeman; 4 siblings: Emily R. Waddell, Lonnie C. McKoy, Jr., Lonnie M. Adams, and Foster (Geraldine) McKoy; sister-in-law, Bertha McKoy; 20 nieces and nephews: George (Elva) Felder, Gloria (Jesse) Blanks, Cozetter (Marvin) Lacewell, Cynthia (Walter) Brown, James (Mable) McKoy, Andre' McKoy; Sean McKoy, Diane Ballard, Gwen Spicer, Marvin (Delores) Ballard, Hubert (Arnetta) Ballard, Lynn Brown, Leon Graham, Carl (Stephanie) McKoy, NeCall (Rodney) Wilson, Jacqueline Jacobs, Mava (Bobby) Webster, Ravon (Brent) McKoy, Regina (Vincent) Harrison, and Candice (Jamie) Keith; two very special cousins, Rebecca Paschall, and Net, whose care and friendship cannot be forgotten and who also helped take care of her in the last moments of her beautiful life; and a multitude of family, friends, and former students.