Thelma Faye Thomas

Thelma F. Thomas, 81, of Copan, died Sunday in Bartlesville. Thelma was born the fifth child of George Earl and Gladys Opal (Macmaster) Ward on November 22, 1935, in Wann. She was raised and educated in Wann, and was united in marriage with Clayton Thomas. Their first child was born in Coffeyville. They moved to Bakersfield where Jeff was born. The family lived in Bakersfield before they relocated back to Dewey where Sonja was born. Clayton began his career in the oilfields and the family moved to Texas where Lori was born, then Illinois, Georgia, Maryland, and Michigan, before Thelma settled in Copan. Thelma joined Phillips Petroleum Co. and worked several years in the Credit Department where she made many wonderful lifelong friends. Thelma had many passions in life which included helping others. She took a tax prep course and from that point on, she was able to help friends and family prepare their taxes and benefit from helpful advice. She was the caretaker of the family tree and enjoyed tracing her ancestry. In her younger years she bowled and later in life knitted. She loved to read and her library card was well used. Thelma enjoyed movies and built up quite a collection of her favorite films. She worked in her garden growing both flowers and vegetables and was known for her tomatoes. She loved her family and was especially close with her siblings. Thelma is survived by her four children Paula Smith and Bill of Houston, Jeff Thomas and Susan of Copan, Sonja Davis of Caney, and Lori Owens and John of Katy; seven grandchildren Meagan Smith, Terra Breault, Clayton Thomas, Ben Thomas, Tyler Davis, Andrew Davis and Courtney Owens; one brother Jerry Ward and Dorothy of Wann; one sister Sharon Hayden of South Coffeyville; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; two brothers Glenn and George Ward; five sisters, Congetta Klause Fidler, Georgia Ruth Holland, Mary Lou Dean, Patricia Hill and Margaret Ann Ward. Visitation will be held on Wed 10-8. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Journey Home, 3406 SE Kentucky Street, Bartlesville, OK 74006. Graveside services will be held 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Sunnyside Cemetery Pavilion in Caney, with Chaplin Jsue Wagner officiating. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared with Thelma’s family at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Thelma Faye Thomas

November 22, 1935 - October 15, 2017