Thomas, Bessie, Ruby, 91, went to join her husband Wilmer in heaven on Thursday, June 30, 2011.

Bessie was born on February 9, 1920, to Scott and Vera (Hill) King in Bloomington Township, Kansas. She married Wilmer Thomas on December 6, 1940, also in Bloomington. Bessie was a seamstress and a riveter for Beechcraft.

Her survivors include her daughters Vera (Tony) Bradfield of Rose Hill, Vickie (Byron) Baum of Leon; sisters Faye Peterson of Douglass, Marjorie Woodall of Augusta, Betty Nix of Oklahoma City, and Gail (Buddy) Scovell of Augusta; grandchildren Mia Lee, Micki Debbrecht, Mike and John "Willie" Bradfield, Staci Potts, Stephanie and Melanie Baum, and Melinda Shaw; 15 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; spouse and a sister Evelyn Loudenslager.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, July 5, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Private family inurnment at a later date.

A memorial has been established with the School for Deaf, 450 East Park Street, Olathe, Kansas 66061 or in care of the funeral home.

Dunsford Funeral Home & Crematory,
201 East Fifth Avenue, Augusta, Kansas, (316) 775-6363, www.dunsfordfh.com