Essie Thomas

Ms. Essie Thomas, 97, passed away March 9, 2010. Ms. Thomas was born on October 6, 1912 in New Hope, Texas to Ida Lee and Alver Roy Wells. She called Mexia her home for over 62 years. Ms. Thomas was a homemaker who then worked and retired from Mexia State School in 1974 to take care of her ailing husband of 46 years, Marion Thomas. She also worked as a volunteer Pink Lady at the Mexia Hospital with over 2000 hours of service, and at Calvary Baptist Church, where she was a member, cooking and serving for funerals, as well as doing floral arrangements. Ms. Thomas's passions were her family, gardening and cooking. She was preceded in death by her parents Ida and Alver Wells; her husband, Marion Thomas; her siblings Minnie Johnson, Icy Dubois and C. L. Wells; and sons-in-law Allen Grider and Ray Kegans. Ms. Thomas was a beloved mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother and friend. She is survived by her daughters Estelle Kegans and Jo Nell Grider; granddaughters and spouses Elaine Harris, Maryanna Van Dine, Pamela & Gary Williams, and Melanie & George Allen; great-grandchildren and spouses Jonathan Harris, Macy & Chris Workman, Chris & Valerie Williams, Derek Groves, Chad & Amber Williams, Rachel Groves, Mitchell Williams, and Alex Allen; great-great grandchildren Lukas Williams and Maley Tate, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation with the family will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 12, 2010 at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. March 13, 2010 at Calvary Baptist Church. Rev. Rick Gray will officiate, with interment to follow in Mexia Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jonathan Harris, Chris Williams, Derek Groves, Chad Williams, Mitchell Williams, Gary Williams, George Allen and Chris Workman. Honorary pallbearers will be Holloway Martin, Jimmy Steele, Eddie Chrisner, Curtis Stokes, Glendale Johnson and Benjamin Gray. The family would appreciate donations be made to Providence Hospice, 107 E. Commerce Street, Mexia, TX 76667.