Helen Francis Thomas

Friends and family are celebrating the life of Matriarch Helen Frances Adams Thomas, 93, of Gladewater, Texas. She passed away on December 8, 2014 and was born on September 4, 1921 to Benjamin F. and Nannie Leo Venn Adams in Gladewater, Texas. Services will be Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. at the Croley Funeral Home Chapel with Larry W. Osborne officiating and interment to follow at Gladewater Memorial Park. Helen was the second of four children and enjoyed her childhood as a loving sister to her siblings. She always lived life to the fullest even during the dark days of the Great Depression. Helen attended Gladewater schools and graduated in 1939. She enjoyed being with friends, Jane Everett, Isabel Rook, Marie Honeycutt, Lassie Jeter, Faye Winn, Brownie Nichols, Howard LeBus and Laura Bess Odom, remaining close to all of them throughout her life. She worked in the admissions office at Gladewater Municipal Hospital and was registrar at Gladewater High School from 1956 to 1961. In 1962 she met and married the love of her life, S.M. "Doc" Thomas, Jr. DVM. She was the sweetheart of Beta Sigma Phi, a member of East Texas Art League, an original Member of the GHS former Students Association and a member of the Gladewater Museum. A staunch Republican and strong willed person, she had a passion for reading, collecting antiques and refinishing furniture. She especially liked painting with water colors, was an avid gardener and grew many types of flowers and vegetables until she could no longer get out and about in the yard. She was known for her ability in the kitchen often cooking holiday meals for the family and spoiling those she loved with their favorite dishes. Helen is preceded in death by her parents, husband Dr. S.M. Thomas, Jr.; brothers, J.G. Adams, Jack Adams and sister, Jo Nell Adams McCullin; son-in-law, Bill Brackeen and great-nephew, Heath Murley. She leaves behind a daughter, Brenda Cain Brackeen, Gladewater; son and daughter-in-law, John and Karen Thomas, Longview; grandson, Adam and wife, Kelley Weber, San Antonio; granddaughters: Carrie Thomas, Austin, April and husband, Dr. Ben Johnson, Bossier City; Kimi Thomas, Tyler and sister-in-law, Anecia Adams, Dallas; great granddaughter, Jaylee Johnson; five nieces, seven great-nieces, three great-nephews and numerous great-great-nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by all those she leaves behind. Serving as pallbearers will be Mindy Cason, Roger McKinley, Matt McKinley, Tyler Lyons, Nathan Green and Adam Weber. Visitation will be held Saturday, just prior to the service beginning at 12:00 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made to Gladewater Museum or the GHS Former Students" Association.