Bessie L. Thomas

WILMINGTON—Bessie L. Thomas, 77, of Wilmington, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 3, 2018 at her home in Wilmington.
Born Oct. 18, 1940 in Saline County, IL, Bessie was a daughter of Willie B. “Bill” and Grace Valentine (Stewart) Harris. She was raised and educated in Galatia, IL and on April 6, 1957, Bessie married Donald Ray Thomas in Galatia. He preceded her in death on Jan. 28, 2002.
Bessie was a loving mother, who was active with her children’s activities when they were growing up, and participated in their parent teacher organizations. She and Don bowled on a league for several years, and in former years she was a member and attended Phelan Acres Bible Church in Wilmington.
One who loved the outdoors, Bessie took great pleasure in bird watching and gardening. She had a great interest in genealogy and most treasured spending time with her family.
Survivors include five children: Cathy (Greg) Hansen and Linda Thomas, both of Wilmington; Karen (Brian) Severson, of Dwight; Patty (John) MacIntyre, of Marion, IA and Donald Jr. (Rhonda) Thomas, of Seymour, TN; 13 grandchildren: Timothy and Gregory Hansen, Jenny and John Jr. MacIntyre, Laura (Michael) Langguth, Luke, Seth (Anna), Joel and Sarah Severson; Elizabeth, Jessica and Donald Thomas III, and Felisha Yeates; one great-granddaughter, Eleanor Grace MacIntyre; siblings: Allegra “Leag” (Luke) Bradley, of Tennessee; James Harris, of Wilmington and Monnie (the late Don) Dowdy, of Indiana; one sister-in-law, Loretta (the late Carl) Pry, of West Frankfort and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as her special friends, Shirley Chandler and Teresa Brandon-Pollack.
Bessie was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 10, 2018 between the hours of 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 E. Kahler Rd. in Wilmington.
Funeral services will follow Tuesday, June 12, 2018 in Galatia, IL and burial will be in Ebenezer Cemetery, where Bessie will be laid to rest with her late husband, Donald, Sr.
Bessie’s grandsons will act as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers.
Preferred memorials in lieu of flowers may be made as gifts in Bessie’s memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or to Joliet Area Community Hospice.
Family and friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share Bessie’s memorial page online by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com.
Local arrangements and services have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington.