Obituary for Mary Thomas

Mary Ellen Thomas

September 22, 1929 – March 14, 2021

Mary Thomas, Rogersville, Missouri, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at Copper Rock Village. She was 91 years of age. Mrs. Thomas was born September 22, 1929 in Russellville, Arkansas to Duard Florenton West and Dee Mildred (Bowen) West. She married Euel “Gene” Thomas on July 12, 1950 at the First Assembly of God Church in Ada, Oklahoma where they made their first home.

Mary enjoyed many activities throughout her life including selling real estate. However, she loved being a wife, mother and grandmother more than anything else! She remained fully devoted to her husband, Gene, for over 60 years. She loved being a strong supporter of his career with Conoco and enjoyed hosting Christmas parties and special events for the company in their beloved hometown of Ponca City. In addition, she loved assisting with church events and other special occasions where she could decorate the venue with her special touches. From weddings, baby showers to ladies events, Mary made each event beautiful and memorable.

Following Gene’s retirement from Conoco in 1992, Mary and Gene traveled throughout the United States, Europe, Canada and Mexico. Mary and Gene spent their 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries in Hawaii since it was their favorite destination. In 1996, the couple moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana where their son, Robert and his family were located. They enjoyed living in and touring the southern states before returning to Ponca City in 2001 where they built their dream home. After Gene passed away in 2013, Mary moved to Springfield, Missouri to be close to her daughter, Sharon, and her family. She loved staying at the Montclair senior living facility in Springfield, Missouri as well as Copper Rock Village in Rogersville, Missouri and appreciated all the support and assistance she received from both facilities.

She served many years in the Women’s Aglow ministry in Ponca City. She also enjoyed teaching the young married couples Sunday school class with her husband Gene. In addition, she served on the Oklahoma Nursing Home board to help improve nursing home operations in the state of Oklahoma. Most of all, Mary was a devoted Christian and would want to be remembered as a person who walked closely with her savior, Jesus Christ.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Sharon and her husband Rev. Ken Hunt of Springfield, Missouri; a son Robert and his wife, Angela Thomas of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; grandsons Ryan Hunt and wife Tracy along with their daughter Siearra Wilder and husband Telacey and their daughter, My’leena; Seth Thomas of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; granddaughters Heather (Hunt) Parisse and her husband Telly along with their children Nicholas, Leah and Kyle of Clearwater, Florida; Haley (Thomas) Gainford and husband James Gainford along with their son Oliver and daughter Eloise of Owasso, Oklahoma; Grace Thomas of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; sister Beverly (West) Erwin and husband Harold Erwin of Augusta, Kansas.

Mrs. Thomas is preceded in death by her devoted husband, Gene; along with her parents, Duard and Dee West of Allen, Oklahoma; her brother Robert West and his wife Linda West of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Pall bearers will be James Gainford, Telly Parisse, Nicholas Parisse, Kyle Parisse, Seth Thomas and Telacey Wilder.

The funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, March 20, 2021, at the Ponca City Assembly Church with Rev. John Gifford and Rev. Steve Clark officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Viewing will be from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, March 19, 2021, with the family present from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Those unable to attend the Funeral Ceremony, may attend virtually on the Trout Funeral Home website, www.troutfuneralhome.com and click on the live-stream or toolbar icon on the top right corner after 1:45 PM. Services are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave., Ponca City, Oklahoma, 74601.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Opportunity Center, 2225 N. Union, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home