Barbara Virginia Thomas

Graveside service for Barbara Thomas will be 10:00a.m., Friday, July 19, 2024, at Owalla Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Thursday, July 18, from 2pm-7pm, with family receiving visitors from 5pm-7pm. Barbara passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2024. She was 90.

Barbara Virginia Thomas was born in Claremore, Oklahoma to Ralph Emerson and Ella Christine (Barry) Luke, she attended school at Catoosa, graduating high school there. In 1956, she married Donel Thomas, and the couple made their home in Claremore. 

Throughout her career, Barbara worked at Atlas Life Insurance Company as a cashier, demonstrating her commitment to her professional responsibilities. Family and faith were paramount in Barbara's life. She found immense joy in caring for her grandchildren and was an active member of the Lone Elm Community Church. Barbara's involvement in the church extended to teaching Sunday School for an impressive 48 years, where she particularly enjoyed nurturing the younger children under her guidance.

In her leisure time, Barbara could be found following her granddaughters to their many softball games. She loved to socialize and listen to gospel music. Barbara found joy and fulfillment in spending time with loved ones. Her warm personality touched the lives of many around her. In later life, Barbara set a goal of living until she was 90, she beat that goal by 10 days.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Ella Luke, her beloved husband Donel F. Thomas, as well as her siblings Emma Jeanette Luke Clausen and Mable Luke Bellieu. She is survived by her son Rick Thomas and his wife Tammy, along with grandchildren Sammi Dawn Thomas, Kristin Drake and her husband Rusty, and Jordan (Lanie) Tipton and her husband Jeremy. Her legacy continues through great-grandchildren Ashlynn Ritter Tuttle, Payton Ritter, Ryker Drake, Paisley Drake, McCoy Drake, Knox Drake, Jensen Tipton, Jayton Tipton, as well as great-great-granddaughter Tayson Tuttle.

Barbara will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her but will forever remain alive in their hearts through the memories she created and the love she shared throughout her remarkable life.