Frances E. (Beers) Thomas

Mrs. Frances Thomas, 96,  passed away at her home in Fallentimber, on Friday, June 5, 2015, surrounded by her loving family.  

She was born December 20,1918, in Akron, Ohio, the daughter of Elizabeth Beers Hilbold and William Hilbold. Her father was overseas serving in WWI at the time of her birth. Frances and her mother were visiting relatives in Fallentimber when her mother became one of the victims of the deadly influenza epidemic of 1918 and died in April, 1919. Frances was adopted by her great-aunt and great-uncle, John and Ellen Beers, in May 1919. She lived, birthed her children/raised her family and passed away in the home built by her father.                                                              

In 1938, she married the love of her life, William C. Thomas, who preceded her in death in 1968.  

They had four children, two of whom preceded her in death: Yvonne (Harry Noel)  and Denny (Nancy Shomo) both of Fallentimber. She is survived by her son, William L. (Joyce Garman) of The Villages, FL, and daughter, Gloria Mae (John Hollis) of Bedford PA. She is "Gram" to seven: Vonda Noel, David Noel, William Noel (Dawn), Johnny Noel, Scott Thomas (Laura), Kelly Thomas and Treva Hollis Crawford (Grant).  She was affectionately referred to as "Super Gram", who could fix anything, by her 7 great-grandchildren: Tommy Bartee, David Noel, Ashley and Cassidy Noel, Rennie, Charlotte and Will Thomas. She was also preceded in death by her lifelong best friend, Roberta Krise.

Mrs. Thomas was a lifelong member of Fiske United Methodist Church. She graduated from Reade Township High School in 1936.                

Mrs. Thomas worked at the McGregor Shirt Factory in Coalport from it's opening in 1945 until it closed in 1980. Frances was a perfectionist by nature, and a master seamstress. She began sewing as a child, making her own school clothes; she made many dresses for her daughters, a wedding gown for a friend and beautiful outfits for her granddaughters, as well as for their Barbie dolls.

Artistic by nature, Frances greatly enjoyed attending weekly ceramic classes for more than 20 years locally and she continued taking classes while spending several winters in Florida with her son.  Her home is adorned with her hand-painted ceramics, as are the homes of her family members and friends. She took pleasure in painting Santas from around the world, as well as a variety of Nativity sets and villages.

In addition to her winter trips to Florida, Frances traveled to several other states including Kentucky, Washington, D.C. , Virginia, Maryland, Washington state, Oregon, South Carolina, and Nashville, Tennessee, as well as to Canada and a cruise to Bermuda. She wasn't particularly excited about flying until her first flight home from Florida, when she was helped to her seat by John Walsh from "America's Most Wanted".  She enjoyed her trips thereafter.                       

Frances was a loving and loyal friend to all, and was always the first to step up and lend a hand when needed. She enjoyed good health for most of her long blessed life. She had a feisty sense of humor and loved to watch Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune every day.

Her beloved family ask that you join them in celebrating her life at McQuown Funeral Home, Glasgow, Monday 2-4 & 6-8 pm and Tuesday from 10:00 until the 11:00 am funeral services.  Pastor John Hollis will officiate and burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Glasgow.

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