The Honorable Judge Patricia “Trish” V. Thomas (Ret.)

The Honorable Judge Patricia “Trish” V. Thomas (Ret.) of Hernando passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026. She was born December 31, 1951, to Robert and Charleton Galloway Butler in Gainesville, and grew up in Florida, graduating from Clearwater High School and Florida State University, where she majored in education. After receiving her BS degree, she went on to earn a J.D. from Florida State University College of Law in 1976. Upon graduating, she clerked for Second District Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Grimes in Lakeland, Florida. Later, she was recruited by Charles Mixon in Tampa as a junior partner in his law firm. In 1979, she moved to Inverness, Florida, where she continued her private practice and later became a partner in the law firm of Bradshaw, Mountjoy & Vitter. She was elected to the Citrus County School Board in 1990. In 1993, she was appointed to the circuit court bench to replace retiring Judge William F. Edwards. A year later, Thomas became the first woman elected to a circuit judicial seat in the Fifth Circuit, composed of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Sumter and Marion counties. She was re-elected every six years after that. She retired in 2018, culminating 25 years on the bench.

During her time on the bench, Judge Thomas served in all divisions of the circuit court, including family division, criminal division, and civil/probate and guardianship division. Because of her efforts, the Citrus County Drug Court was created. This Court has helped individuals who are in the criminal justice system overcome their addictions and go on to live successful lives. While Judge Thomas was on the bench, the Family Visitation Center of Citrus County became a reality. This is a safe place where parents can spend time with their children who are in foster care, and parental transfers in highly charged family law cases can be made of minor children safely and calmly. She also served on the Florida Conference of Circuit Court Judges’ Executive Committee and its Education Committee. She remained actively involved in judicial education by teaching new judges in probate and guardianship, as well as facilitating and teaching at the Judges Conferences. She also served as a judicial liaison to the Executive Council of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law section of the Florida Bar.

Trish was actively involved in her community: she was a charter member of the Altrusa Club of Citrus County; one of the first women to become a member of the Rotary Club of Inverness, where she served as the first woman Club President in 1999-2000; Trish was active on the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, serving as President in 1988. She graduated from Leadership Citrus in 1993 and Leadership Florida, Class XIII. In 1983, the governor of Florida appointed Trish to the Central Florida Community College Board of Trustees, where she served until 1991. During her time on the Board, she served as Vice Chair and Board Chair. She was active in the Family Resource Center and on the Board of Citrus County Habitat for Humanity, Covenant Children’s Home, and Citrus County Community Charitable Foundation, Inc., and a citizen member of the Citrus County Chronicle Editorial Board.

As a member of First United Methodist Church of Inverness “Trish” was actively involved in church activities at the Church and District level. She was a Lay Leader in the United Methodist Church North Central District and a member of the Florida Annual Conference’s Board of Ordained Ministry. She was also an Emmaus Retreat leader and held numerous offices at First United Methodist Church of Inverness, including Church Council Chair.  Most of her charitable work was private. In a newspaper interview, she stated. “I think I am very blessed in my life, and I think that the Bible kind of says to whom much is given much is expected, giving back for all the blessings I have.”

She is survived by her son Robert (Lara) Vitter of Torre Pellice, Italy, and their children: Annabella, Priscilla, Lydia, Samuel, James, and Maxim; Daughter Brittany Vitter Donahue of Land O Lakes, and her sons Noah and Andrew; her loving companion, Mark Mitchell. She is also survived by her sisters Deborah Butler (David Poff) and Stefanie Butler, both of Atlanta, Georgia.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, July 24, 2026 , 1:00 PM at the Hernando United Methodist Church, 2125 E. Norvell Bryant Highway, Hernando.  The Rev. June Edwards of the United Methodist Church will officiate assisted by The Rev. Dr. Sarah Campbell and The Rev. Matthew Findley. There will be a visitation from 11:00 AM until the hour of service. Following the service, friends and family will gather at the First United Methodist Church of Inverness for fellowship and refreshments. The church is located at 1140 Turner Camp Road, Inverness, FL. Memorials may be made to a scholarship in her name to: Rotary Foundation Scholarship, Rotary Club of Inverness, PO Box 1317, Inverness, FL 34451.  The Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home With Crematory assisted the family with arrangements.