Charlene Francis Thomas

Charlene Francis Thomas, age 88, of Gatesville, TX, passed away on Wednesday, November 18, 2015. A celebration of Charlene’s life is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 21, 2015, at Scott’s Funeral Home, 2425 E. Main, in Gatesville with Bro. Miles Miears officiating. Visitation with family will be one hour prior to the service. Charlene was born November 15, 1927 in Indian Creek, Brown County, TX to Albert Allison (Jimmy) and Emma Margaret (Grelle) Grayson. She graduated from Comanche High School in 1945, and attended Tarleton State College taking courses in business. On March 25, 1950, she married James Stanley Thomas at her parents’ home in Comanche, TX. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year. Charlene and Stanley lived most of their married life in McGregor, TX, and raised their four children there. She loved her Lord and was a very active part of College Avenue Baptist Church during the McGregor years. Charlene was employed as an Asst. Administrator at Westview Manor, McGregor, until her retirement in 1988. After retiring, the two of them built Charlene’s dream home at ‘the Ranch’ west of Gatesville near the community of Pearl where they have lived and hosted countless family gatherings for the past 26 years. Charlene was a devoted wife and mother; and the best grandmother ever. Nothing made her any happier than having family around with lots of food, activity, and laughter. She was a faithful member of Pearl Baptist Church until her health began to fail. Charlene was preceded in death by her parents; and her two beloved brothers, Alvin Grayson and Glen Grayson. Left behind to cherish memories are her husband, Stanley Thomas of Gatesville; two daughters, Janet (Tom) McPherson of McGregor, and Shirley (Ronald) Weir of Childress, TX; two sons, Joe Thomas of Lorena, TX, and Doug (Cindy) Thomas of Comanche, TX; seven grandchildren, Scott (Beth) McPherson of Wylie, TX; Mark (Kelli Ann) McPherson of Mound, TX; James (Suzanne) McPherson of McGregor; Megan Thomas of Lorena; Amanda Thomas of Hutchins, TX; Michelle (Cody) Hughes of Aledo, TX; and Kimberly (Cody) Young of Comanche; and ten great-grandchildren, Jennifer and Sidney McPherson of Wylie; Kinsley, Anna, and Allie McPherson of Mound; Mason and Audrey Hughes of Aledo; Jade and Olivia Young of Comanche; and Eli McPherson of McGregor. Charlene’s eleventh great-grandchild (Jade and Olivia’s little sister) will be born early next year. Charlene’s family would like to extend their grateful thanks to the wonderful staff of The Meadows nursing facility in Gatesville, TX, for the attentive care given to our beloved wife, mom, and grandmother over the last 21 months of her life, and to the caring people associated with Gentiva Hospice who gave her such loving care in her final months. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the charity of your choice.