Particia Thomas

Services are scheduled at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, March 16 at First United Methodist Church for Ruth Patricia White Thomas, 503 W. Washington Ave., Artesia, New Mexico. Mrs. Thomas, 86, died Wednesday, March 13, 2002 in Artesia. Rev. Paul Dean Duerksen will officiate at the services with burial at Woodbine Cemetery following cremation. Pallbearers will be Eddie Guy, Michael Thomas, Steven Thomas, Jason McLaughlin, Johnny Jacobs, Jeff Turpin and James Evans. All members of United Methodist Women have been designated as honorary pallbearers. Pat was born May 13, 1915 in Roswell, New Mexico; the daughter of Harry Sylvester White and Nan Grace Beason White. She graduated from McMurry College in Abilene, Texas in 1937 and worked as a bookkeeper in Roswell and Capitan, N.M. before coming to Artesia in 1946. On April 7, 1946 she was married to Frank Gray Thomas in Carlsbad, N.M. He preceded her in death October 6, 1995. She worked many years as bookkeeper for the Cottonwood Gin and was a member of First United Methodist Church; United Methodist Women; V.F.W. Auxiliary; a former Cub Scout leader and a P.T.A. member. Survivors include sons Robert Thomas of Artesia, Gerry Thomas and wife Peggy of Conroe, Texas and James Thomas and wife Janice of Artesia; sisters Martha Ashabranner of Williamsburg, Va. and Donnie Estock of Palmdale, Calif.; grandchildren Joe Brett Cain serving in the US Army in Germany, Stacie Turpin of Dexter, N.M., Kyra McLaughlin of Artesia, Jennifer Thomas of Roswell, Steven Thomas of Artesia, Debbie Evans of Spring, Texas, Michael Thomas of Denver, Colo. and Amber Thomas of Conroe; and ten great-grandchildren. Memorials contributions may be made to Local Veterans Organizations or the charity of choice.