Obituary: Lois Thomas, A Longtime Mansfield resident

(From Sherman & Jackson Funeral)

Lois V. (Crymble) Thomas, 99, of Mansfield died Thursday, June 13, 2013 at the Epoch Senior Healthcare in Norton. She was the beloved wife of the late Stephen Thomas, Sr. to whom she was wed for 35 years at the time of his death on July 31, 1982.

Born in Brockton, MA on October 14, 1913, she was loving daughter of the late Milo C. and Ruth (Snell) Crymble, and the youngest granddaughter of the Varanus Snell, one of the founders of the Town of Brockton.

Lois was a 1932 graduate of Brockton High School. She possessed strong athletic skills, playing semi-pro basketball during and after high school years, and while in high school was also a member of the Montello swimming team and served as a Station Tender of Engine Co. #3 for the City of Brockton Fire Department.

A resident of Mansfield since 1955, Mrs. Thomas had been employed as a realtor for the former Florence Hallett Real Estate Co. in Mansfield, prior to retiring.

When younger she had worked at Howard Johnsons, the Springvale Hotel in North Carolina, the Toll House in Whitman, and at the Dunnington Apothecaries Drugstore in Brockton, as a fountain supervisor.

Lois was a 54-year member of both the Congregational Church of Mansfield and the Mansfield Chapter of the D.A.R. Her other numerous memberships included the Mansfield Historical Society, the former Mansfield Grange, of which she served as Past Master, and was a past president of the First Turn Fan Club at the former Norwood Arena Speedway.

Throughout her life Mrs. Thomas enjoyed entertaining others, which included playing the piano and organ at several Massachusetts and Rhode Island nightclubs. She also enjoyed gardening and especially spending time with her adoring family.

She is survived by her devoted children, Linda M. Thomas of Mansfield, Stephen Thomas, Jr. and his wife Ann of Marlboro, Donald L. Thomas and his wife Deborah Robinson of Penn Valley, CA and the late NASCAR junior official, John T. Thomas. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Sarah Thomas of Amherst and Gregory Thomas of Mansfield.

Her funeral service, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Thursday, June 20, at 10 a.m. in the Congregational Church of Mansfield, 17 West St, Mansfield. Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, June 19, from 5-8 p.m. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main St., Mansfield.

Due to the limitation of flowers allowed at the National Cemetery, Lois’s family has requested that donations in her memory be made to the charity of one’s choice.

To send the Thomas family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com