Former Texas resident, Dixie Lou Wheeler Thomas, passed away peacefully in her sleep Feb. 24, 2012, at Autumn Care nursing facility in Waynesville, N.C.
Mrs. Thomas was born Jan. 19, 1921, in the Oak Grove Community of Jones County, Texas, to Aaron and Della MaGee Wheeler. A proud Texas lady her entire life, Mrs. Thomas always had a knack for charming those around her — including Milton Benjamin Thomas, whom she married in 1940. Eight years later, Dixie charmed radio listeners around the country when she was selected from a group of contestants to be “Queen for a Day,” a popular radio show at the time. Her grand prize included a trip to Little Rock, Ark., where she served as a dignitary and honored guest of the city during its centennial celebration.
Mrs. Thomas worked in the shoe department at Minter’s Department Store and The Bootery, but a majority of her career was spent as a switchboard operator and receptionist for Perry Hunter Hall Insurance Agency. Mrs. Thomas enjoyed living in Texas until 2006, when she moved to Waynesville, N.C., to be near her daughter.
Her interests included family, friends, garage sales, bargain-hunting and chatting and laughing about anything and everything. She also devoted much of her life to the raising of her two children and as caregiver to her own mother until she passed away at age 92.
Mrs. Thomas is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Dixie and Don Thompson; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Thomas; nephew and niece, Robert Dixon and Nancy Dixon Bailey; as well as three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Milton Benjamin Thomas; sister, Mary June Wheeler Dixon; son, Raymond M. (Rip) Thomas; and granddaughter, Julie Thompson Douglas.
Obituary courtesy Nancy Dixon Bailey
Mrs. Thomas was born Jan. 19, 1921, in the Oak Grove Community of Jones County, Texas, to Aaron and Della MaGee Wheeler. A proud Texas lady her entire life, Mrs. Thomas always had a knack for charming those around her — including Milton Benjamin Thomas, whom she married in 1940. Eight years later, Dixie charmed radio listeners around the country when she was selected from a group of contestants to be “Queen for a Day,” a popular radio show at the time. Her grand prize included a trip to Little Rock, Ark., where she served as a dignitary and honored guest of the city during its centennial celebration.
Mrs. Thomas worked in the shoe department at Minter’s Department Store and The Bootery, but a majority of her career was spent as a switchboard operator and receptionist for Perry Hunter Hall Insurance Agency. Mrs. Thomas enjoyed living in Texas until 2006, when she moved to Waynesville, N.C., to be near her daughter.
Her interests included family, friends, garage sales, bargain-hunting and chatting and laughing about anything and everything. She also devoted much of her life to the raising of her two children and as caregiver to her own mother until she passed away at age 92.
Mrs. Thomas is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Dixie and Don Thompson; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Thomas; nephew and niece, Robert Dixon and Nancy Dixon Bailey; as well as three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Milton Benjamin Thomas; sister, Mary June Wheeler Dixon; son, Raymond M. (Rip) Thomas; and granddaughter, Julie Thompson Douglas.
Obituary courtesy Nancy Dixon Bailey
Former Texas resident, Dixie Lou Wheeler Thomas, passed away peacefully in her sleep Feb. 24, 2012, at Autumn Care nursing facility in Waynesville, N.C.
Mrs. Thomas was born Jan. 19, 1921, in the Oak Grove Community of Jones County, Texas, to Aaron and Della MaGee Wheeler. A proud Texas lady her entire life, Mrs. Thomas always had a knack for charming those around her — including Milton Benjamin Thomas, whom she married in 1940. Eight years later, Dixie charmed radio listeners around the country when she was selected from a group of contestants to be “Queen for a Day,” a popular radio show at the time. Her grand prize included a trip to Little Rock, Ark., where she served as a dignitary and honored guest of the city during its centennial celebration.
Mrs. Thomas worked in the shoe department at Minter’s Department Store and The Bootery, but a majority of her career was spent as a switchboard operator and receptionist for Perry Hunter Hall Insurance Agency. Mrs. Thomas enjoyed living in Texas until 2006, when she moved to Waynesville, N.C., to be near her daughter.
Her interests included family, friends, garage sales, bargain-hunting and chatting and laughing about anything and everything. She also devoted much of her life to the raising of her two children and as caregiver to her own mother until she passed away at age 92.
Mrs. Thomas is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Dixie and Don Thompson; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Thomas; nephew and niece, Robert Dixon and Nancy Dixon Bailey; as well as three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Milton Benjamin Thomas; sister, Mary June Wheeler Dixon; son, Raymond M. (Rip) Thomas; and granddaughter, Julie Thompson Douglas.
Obituary courtesy Nancy Dixon Bailey
Mrs. Thomas was born Jan. 19, 1921, in the Oak Grove Community of Jones County, Texas, to Aaron and Della MaGee Wheeler. A proud Texas lady her entire life, Mrs. Thomas always had a knack for charming those around her — including Milton Benjamin Thomas, whom she married in 1940. Eight years later, Dixie charmed radio listeners around the country when she was selected from a group of contestants to be “Queen for a Day,” a popular radio show at the time. Her grand prize included a trip to Little Rock, Ark., where she served as a dignitary and honored guest of the city during its centennial celebration.
Mrs. Thomas worked in the shoe department at Minter’s Department Store and The Bootery, but a majority of her career was spent as a switchboard operator and receptionist for Perry Hunter Hall Insurance Agency. Mrs. Thomas enjoyed living in Texas until 2006, when she moved to Waynesville, N.C., to be near her daughter.
Her interests included family, friends, garage sales, bargain-hunting and chatting and laughing about anything and everything. She also devoted much of her life to the raising of her two children and as caregiver to her own mother until she passed away at age 92.
Mrs. Thomas is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Dixie and Don Thompson; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Thomas; nephew and niece, Robert Dixon and Nancy Dixon Bailey; as well as three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Milton Benjamin Thomas; sister, Mary June Wheeler Dixon; son, Raymond M. (Rip) Thomas; and granddaughter, Julie Thompson Douglas.
Obituary courtesy Nancy Dixon Bailey
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