Frances Inez Thomas

Obituary for Frances I. Thomas

Frances Inez (White) Thomas went to fill her mansion prepared for her in heaven on Saturday, July 17, 2021. She was born to Monroe and Maggie (Brown) White December 11, 1922, in Drew County, Arkansas, in the Possum Valley Community. she went to meet her Savior at the age of 98 years, 7 months, and 6 days. She was a member of Central Baptist Church, Conway, Arkansas.

Frances was known by many names. To her son she was Mom, to her grandchildren she was Granny, to her nieces and nephews she was Aunt Ace, to her siblings she was Inez, and to her friends she was Frances. She taught school briefly and decided her duty was to be a homemaker and she devoted herself to that. Inez was a skilled seamstress, making drapes, wedding gowns, men’s suits, ladies’ dresses, etc. She loved to quilt and crochet. She was light on her toes as evidenced when she and her beloved Pete square danced around the floor.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Monroe and Maggie White, and in 2005 by her beloved husband Melburn E. Thomas who was the love of her life. She was also preceded in death by two brothers Bill White of Conway, Arkansas, and Travis White of Conway, Arkansas, and a sister Majorie White Knowles Craig of Wilmar, Arkansas.

Survivors are her son Michael A. Thomas and his wife Velma of Mena, Arkansas; two grandsons, Christopher Thomas of Mechanic Falls, Maine and Adam Thomas and wife Camille of Las Vegas, Nevada; a step grandson Tommy Bullock of Sarepta, Louisiana; and a very special grandson by love Kelton McCuien of Conway, Arkansas; two sisters Nell Grimes of Phoenix, Arizona, and Ethel Stiles of Lake City, Florida; a sister-in-law Faye White of Conway, Arkansas; six great-grand children, many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Visitation will be held at Griffin-Leggett Funeral Home, 1751 Dave Ward Drive, in Conway on Friday, July 23, 2021 from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Graveside services will be at the 16th Section Cemetery, Drew County, Arkansas on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 1:00 P.M.

Memorials may be made to the 16th Section Cemetery, % Renee Knowles, 324 Longview Road, Wilmar, Arkansas 71675, or to Elite Hospice, 602 DeQueen Street, Mena, Arkansas 71953.

A note from Frances herself:
“To my dear family: You have meant so much to me over the years. Each of you have been a comfort for me and a special blessing.
To my friends: What a blessing you have been! What a joy it will be when we meet with our Savior. Let His Word be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. It will be so great to hear him say ‘my child, well done.’”

Her son and daughter-in-law wish to thank Hospice Home Care in Conway, Arkansas and Elite Hospice in Mena, Arkansas for the compassion, superb care, and their ministry that was shown to their mother and to them during the last months of Frances’ life, to Carol for the song and fun, to Lucy and Beatrice for their volunteer time and friendship, to Felicia, Michelle and Kristen who cared for Frances on a weekly basis, and to Kandy, Linda, Keith, Sadie and Jennifer whose professionalism, care and love that was shown to us was outstanding and deeply appreciated. You have been like family to us and we will never forget what you did for us during a very difficult time. To sign the online guestbook, click “Add A Memory” at: www.griffinleggettconway.com