Gertrude Rebecca Thomas, age 91, of Purdy, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at Roaring River Health and Rehab in Cassville. Mrs. Thomas, daughter of Joseph Lee and Jessie Earle (Melton) Evans, was born on July 1, 1927, in Monett. On November 29, 1942, she was united in marriage to Lawton Thomas in Purdy; he preceded her in death on September 28, 1991. Mrs. Thomas worked for twenty years at Ramey's Grocery Store in Purdy where she made many lasting friendships. She loved the Lord and was saved, and then baptized on June 20, 1943, at Macedonia Free Will Baptist Church by Pastor Winford Davis; she attended Arnhart Baptist Church in Purdy. Mrs. Thomas enjoyed being with her family, playing Bingo, and fishing. She always had a warm smile on her face and was a friend to many.

Survivors include two sons, Wayne Thomas and his wife Sandy, of Purdy, and Marvin Thomas and his wife Carol, of Cassville; two daughters, Wanda Roller, of Purdy, and Donna Dilbeck and her husband Lynn, of Shell Knob; her half-brother, Joe Svetic, of Bentonville, Arkansas; thirteen grandchildren; thirty-six great-grandchildren; several great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Jean Roush, of Seymour, and Ruth Sanders, of Cassville; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Burl Evans, Jimmy Evans and Joseph Evans; five sisters, Mary Clevenger, Emily Clevenger, Willa Fischer, Eva Giegle, and Priscilla Standfer; one granddaughter, Janet Wieferich; and her daughter in-law, Nancy Thomas.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00p.m. on Saturday, November 24, 2018, at the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville, with Pastor Lee Neill officiating. Burial will follow at Purdy City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from noon until service time at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Purdy City Cemetery and entrusted to the White Funeral Home and Crematory, P.O. Box 890, Cassville, MO 65625.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville.