Thelma Jean Thomas

Thelma Jean (Sizemore) Thomas, 88, of Gauley Bridge went home to be with her Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House of Huntington. She died after a full life and a very short illness.

Thelma was born in Gauley Bridge, the daughter of Grant and Lura Sizemore. In the kind Providence of God, Thelma would live out her 88 years in sight of the house in which she was born. This brought her great joy, and she would not have had it any other way. She had a deep love for the little creek, the mountainside, and the people near her home. As a girl, Thelma attended Gauley Bridge Baptist Church where she professed her faith in Christ and was baptized. She remained an active member until her death. As a young lady she met the love of her life, Howard Thomas. The two married and shared 51 glorious years together before his death in 2009. Early in their marriage, Howard and Thelma devoted much of their time to nearby nieces and nephews and felt them to be “their very own.” But, in just a few years, the couple would have two daughters of their own and would give the remainder of their days to raising them. Thelma’s greatest desire in life was to care for her family and home. She enjoyed cooking, cleaning, gardening, and spending time with her granddaughters. She loved Christmas, and her year revolved around planning and hosting the family Christmas party. She prided herself on gathering generations together each year for this time of celebration and reunion. She truly was the glue that held an extended family together. She will be missed.

Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, and three siblings: Roscoe Sizemore, Madeline Blake, and Carl Sizemore. Thelma leaves behind two daughters: Carla (Kevin) Brown of Ripley and Lisa (Chuck) Fry of Ona and three granddaughters toward whom she devoted her final years: Ashton Brown, Chloe Brown, and Heidi Fry.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to: the Fayette County Emergency Food Assistance Center (PO Box 735, Fayetteville, WV 25840) or the Gauley Bridge Baptist Church Memorial Fund (PO Box 787, Gauley Bridge, WV 25085).

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, February 3 at Gauley Bridge Baptist Church. A memorial service will follow at noon.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.carlwilsonfuneralhome.com

Pennington Smith Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Thomas family.

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