Memorial services for Viola Ray Thomas, 77, Winchester, will be 11 am, Saturday, November 18, 2017, at Living Water Church, 13960 Highway K92, Oskaloosa, KS 66066.
She was the Daughter of Mabel Marie Clark and Grady Jesse Beard , born on the day of July 3rd 1940, she was blessed with a family of three sisters, and two brothers, Kathleen Pearl Kennett , Mattie Lea Kelly, Grady Clifton , Juanita Jeanette Boles, Thomas Leonard, all have passed. She has a daughter Debra Kay McClelland, a son Todd Allen Thomas, and three step children Nancy O’Herron, Dave Thomas, and John Thomas. She was married to Loyd Burroughs, for a short period. Then remarried to Alvin Clifford Thomas, he preceded her in death May 1998. She was blessed with many Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.
She was a great wife, mother, and friend to those that new her. She worked hard in many jobs over the years that she was proud of. She was a guard at Hercules army plant in Desoto, a line operator at Hallmarks Cards, ran a line at Aeroquip making pistons for large trucks, an Auto Mechanic and in the AC refrigeration department at KU. She was strong and determined to make it in a world that was hard for women at the time, she was the first woman hired at KU in the refrigeration department and it made her proud. She survived breast Cancer, a heart attack, a stroke that took her mobility. Last she died of overran Cancer after a battle of about a year and a half. She found Jesus early in life and recently renewed her faith. Now she is in heaven with all of her loved ones that died previously.
The family suggests memorial contributions made in memory of Viola Ray Thomas to be made to Great Lakes Hospice, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044, or made online at http://www.greatlakescaringhospicefoundation.org
