Ruth Thomas, (82 years old) departed life on June 13, 2022, at York Hospital in York, PA after her strong fight against heart failure. She was born on September 2nd, 1939 in Norfolk, Virginia to the union of Junius Williams and Mable Jones-Eaton. She grew up on Bottimore Street from the time she was born and received her formal education in the Norfolk public school district and attended Booker T Washington High School. She was fondly called "Deanie" as a short name to her middle name, Gardenia. One day in school, she was tasked with taking schoolwork to a student that was out of school ill. That student ended up being the love of her life, James Russell Thomas. Ruth and James courted and were later married in 1955. She gave birth to their first child Debra Thomas. She eventually moved to Honolulu, Hawaii with her husband James Thomas as he was stationed there in the United States Air Force. In Honolulu, she gave birth to Mark and Sharon. Upon moving back from Hawaii, she worked at AMF (American Machine Foundry) and as a Nurse's aide at York Hospital. She especially took much pride in her job at York Hospital and made sure everyone knew how much she cared and took pride in her field of work. She lived in York, PA for over sixty years. While she enjoyed her work for a few years, her passion was taking care of her family and she left the workforce and dedicated her time to that. As a proud and devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, Deanie also opened her home to various family members and was always a phone call away. In fact, she kept the same phone number for over forty years. She was everyone's confidant and friend. She was a beyond passionate woman who dedicated her life to taking care of everyone. She had a major hand in raising almost every grandchild and great-grandchild in the family. She specifically raised her grandchildren Daryl, Sharrita, and Ron and later adopted full responsibility for their upbringing. She helped take care of many other children in the family up until she was 80 years old. She leaves to cherish her memory: sister- Frances Valentine of Boston, MA, daughter - Debra Johnson of York, PA, Grandchildren: Daryl (Amanda) Thomas, Jonathan (Georgia) Johnson, Regina (Anthony)Wilson, Zia Johnson, Mark Thomas Jr, Sharrita Thomas, Ronald Tucker and Marquesha DeShields. She has 21 Great-Grandchildren, 5 Great-Great Grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by James Russell Thomas (husband), Sharon Thomas (daughter), and Mark Thomas (son). Our beloved Matriarch, "Deanie" will forever be remembered for her loving and caring nature. All she ever wanted was her family and friends to feel loved and taken care of. Without her the Thomas family would not be as we know it to this day. Up to her final days she was as selfless as could be. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 11:00AM at Jabez Ministries, 40 Jefferson Ave., York PA with Pastor Boxley officiating. A viewing will be prior to the service from 9-10:30AM at the church. Burial will take place at Mt. Rose Cemetery, York.

Posted online on June 20, 2022

Published in York Daily Record, York Dispatch