Mary Ethel Thomas, age 95, of Coffeyville passed away Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at Windsor Place.

 

 

She was born April 19, 1923 in Tulsa, OK to Daniel Lewis and Barbara Ruth (Sheddrick) VanWinkle. She grew up in Wayside, KS where she graduated high school. She then attended and graduated from Tulsa Business School.

 

On September 8, 1946 she married Ralph Raymond “Doc” Thomas. The couple made their home in Coffeyville, where they raised their family.

 

When their children were young Mary worked from home as a seamstress. She could sew anything from silk dresses to upholstering car seats. She was known as “The Cake Lady” for many years because of the fabulous cakes she baked for hundreds of people in the community and surrounding areas. In her younger years, Mary worked for Continental Can and Parkersburg. After their children were older she worked for Jolly Kids, Coffeyville Packing Plant, and Automotive Control Corporation (now Standard Motor Products) where she was employed until her retirement.

 

She was Den mother for each of her sons’ Boy Scout Troops and scout leader for both her daughters’ Girl Scout Troops. Mary enjoyed sewing, Knitting, crocheting and decorating cakes. She was a member of Tyro Christian Church.

 

Mary is survived by her children Ricki Hanna her husband Jim, Bill Thomas his wife Vicky, Harry Thomas his wife Karen, Kathy Argent her husband Jim, and Dave Thomas his wife Toni. She is also survived by a sister-in-law Barbara Jordan, 12 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.

 

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, four brothers, Howard, Dave (Roberta), Harold (Betty), and Bill (Wilma); one brother-in-law Albert Jordan.

 

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held on Friday, February 1, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel 2405 Woodland Ave. Coffeyville, KS 67337 with Evangelist David Bycroft officiating.  Interment will immediately follow at Robbins Cemetery West of Coffeyville. Friends are invited to sign the register on Thursday January 31, 2019 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The family suggests memorials be made payable to the Tyro Christian Church and they may be sent in care of the Chapel. To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com