Mary Thomas

Mary Ross McFaddin Thomas died May 8, 2006. Born February 3, 1926 in Hope, Arkansas, she was the daughter of Edward Fitzgerald and Matilda McCammon McFaddin. She was the widow of Lindsay Cotton Thomas and is survived by her children, Lindsay M. Thomas (Jan Shorey); Edward W. Thomas (Mary Helen); Mary Bea Gross (Dave); grandchildren, Hope Douglas, Lindsay Thomas, James Gross, Mary Kathryn Gross and Wesley Gross; and great-grandson, William Thomas Douglas. Also surviving are her sisters, Mrs. G. F. Wynne of Warren, Arkansas and Mrs. George Haviland of Prescott, Arizona.
Valedictorian of Hope High School Class of 1943, she graduated Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas in 1947 and received an M.A. from Columbia University in 1948. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi, Phi Beta Kappa, Arkansas Herb Society, The Country Club of Little Rock, The National Society of Colonial Dames of America (National Roll of Honor), Junior League of Little Rock (sustainer), YWCA (past president), Thursday Book Club (past president), Friends of Central Arkansas Library (past president), and Central Arkansas Library Trustees (past president).
She received the 2006 Champion Award given by Volunteers in Public Schools for her 45 years of service in public school which included PTA President and tutoring at Rightsell, Pulaski Heights and Jefferson Schools. She combined her love for libraries and school children by helping students learn research and internet skills.
The family will receive visitors at 21 Sunset Drive, Little Rock, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. this evening, Tuesday, May 9, 2006. Funeral service will be at Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to Central Arkansas Library Systems, Jefferson Elementary School PTA or The National Society of Colonial Dames of America in the State of Arkansas. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 11324 Arcade Dr., Suite 12, Little Rock, AR 72212, (501) 224-2200.