Darlene Thomas

Agnes Darlene Thomas, 90, passed away Wed., Aug. 8, 2018. Agnes Darlene Thomas was born Dec. 29, 1927, in rural Chetopa, Labette County, KS, to Eva Thompson Wiley and Luther Alvin Wiley. After graduating from Labette County Community High School in 1945, she taught at Gore School. Darlene went to work the following year at Southwestern Bell Telephone as a telephone operator in Independence, KS. Agnes Darlene Wiley married William Edward Thomas on Nov. 28, 1947, and after marrying, transferred to Coffeyville, Kansas. In 1952, They moved to Bartlesville after Bill went to work for Phillips Petroleum Company. Darlene then transferred to Bartlesville as a telephone operator and worked her way up in SW Bell Telephone into the marketing department. She retired in 1984 after 38 years of service with Bell Telephone/ AT&T. Bill and Darlene have been members of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church in Bartlesville since 1952. Darlene was a steadfast companion to Bill, going with him to boat races in their early years to model airplane contests later in life. They loved to western dance and were square dancers for much of their married life. Their love of dancing started while courting and continued until they were physically unable. In addition to working and square dancing, Darlene loved to sew clothing for her family - much of the sewing was done with her daughter Connie and friends while Bill built model airplanes. She also loved spending time with her five sisters, brother and their families; traveling to southeastern Kansas or visiting with relatives that came to Bartlesville monthly. Many days were spent with her sister Wintress Stine and family, and her husband’s brother Bob and Deloris Thomas and family, who resided in Bartlesville. Darlene was blessed with a large and loving family of sisters, brother and Bill’s brother and family. Darlene is survived by her son Ralph Thomas of Verdigris, OK. She was blessed with five grandchildren, James, William, Andrew, Kristy, and Michael; along with seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Lavonne Hucke of Mound Valley, KS, brothers in law Bob Stine, Bob Thomas of Bartlesville; and many nieces and nephews. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill Thomas, daughter Connie Perdue, sisters Imogene Miller, Nadine Barr, Marcella Braily, Wintress Stine and Milan Wiley. Visitation will be held on Friday 10-8 and Saturday 9-12 at the Davis Family Funeral Home – Walker Brown Chapel, 918-333-7665, 4201 Nowata Road, Bartlesville, OK. Services will be held 2 p.m. on Sat., Aug. 18, at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, with Rev Dale P. Scott officiating. Interment will follow at the Memorial Park Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home – Walker Brown Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Darlene Thomas

December 29, 1927 - August 8, 2018