Gwen Thomas, 87, of Paducah, Kentucky passed away at 12:54 p.m. Monday, November 27, 2023 at her residence.
When we think of Mom and her life, we think of faithfulness. We think of one who was appreciative of, and true to, a long heritage of Jesus followers. Church was not just a lifestyle or a habit for Mom; her faith in God was her identity. She knew Jesus personally and this faith was strengthened by what she had heard God say through great preachers, dear friends, life’s circumstances, prayer, and the scriptures themselves.
Mom was born on September 4, 1936, in St. Louis, Missouri to Hayse and Alta Wolfe, the fourth of six children, her 5 siblings were Don, Vivian, Millie, Nina, and Linda. She was raised in Carondelet Baptist Church where she was saved and baptized there under the ministry of Ian Rogers.
Mom attended high school at Cleveland High in St. Louis before the family relocated to St. James, Missouri where she graduated from St. James High. After high school, she moved back to St. Louis where she worked for Stifel Financial in Downtown St. Louis.
She met Dad, Bill Thomas, at Lindenwood Baptist Church where both were a part of a strong young adult group. They married March 22, 1957 then relocated to Newport News Virginia where Dad was stationed in the army. It was there that their first child, Brenda (Brad), was born.
After the army, they moved back to Missouri and settled in South St. Louis where they had three more children, Linda (Bill), Stephen (Julie), and David (Alice). Mom and Dad nurtured in their children a love for Jesus and a love for his church. Mom taught children’s Sunday School, worked in Vacation Bible School, and served as a room mother for each child.
Mom often sewed clothes for the children especially for the girls. She was an excellent cook and was constantly working to improve her home. Mom loved attending the plays, ballgames, and other events her kids participated in. Mom and Dad took us on numerous wonderful vacations to places like Kentucky Lake, Lake of the Ozarks, Florida, and Colorado. Mom was also a talented bookkeeper who helped Dad build a successful business.
Mom and Dad raised us at Affton Baptist Church and later Concord Baptist Church in St. Louis. After moving to Paducah, Kentucky, they joined First Baptist Church of Paducah. The Joy Fellowship Sunday School Class was such a blessing to Mom’s life especially after Dad passed in 2003.
Mom spent time in the scriptures and prayed faithfully for her family, friends, and church every morning. She reached out to those around her with the love of Jesus. She spoke of her faith often which served her well as she faced much suffering including 48 years with rheumatoid arthritis and the last 20 years as a widow. She learned to trust Jesus in the midst of her pain and grew sweeter even as she suffered.
Mom longed for all her family and each of her friends and neighbors to know Jesus as Savior, the only rescue from sin. She was looking forward to being with the Lord in heaven, curious about the first thing that she would see, anticipating seeing Dad and so many loved ones.
In addition to her four children, Mom is survived by her sisters Vivian, Millie, and Nina, 14 grandchildren: Beth Hill, Scott McElroy, Kristen Ojard, Will Thomas, Alli Perry, Sarah Davis, Tyler Burrows, John Thomas, David Thomas, Andy Thomas, Jimmy Thomas, Alexa Hensley, Amanda Muller, Libby Thomas, and a numerous and ever-increasing number of great grandchildren along with three of her five siblings, nieces, nephews and many friends – all of whom she loved and thoroughly enjoyed.
Mom fought the good fight, she finished the race, she has kept the faith. By God’s grace and in his strength, she lived well and finished well. Today and forever, she is present with the Lord.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Dr. Stephen Thomas and Dr. Brian Arnold officiating. Burial will follow at Brook Hill Memorial Garden.
Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. Thursday, November 30, 2023 at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Paducah First Baptist Church Mission Fund, 2890 Broadway, Paducah, KY 42001.
You may leave a message of sympathy and light a candle at www.milnerandorr.com.