R. Elizabeth Thomas

Ruth Elizabeth Thomas, 86, passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at her home in Cottonwood. She was born in March 12, 1925 in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas to V.L. and Ruth Bice. Her family moved to Arizona when she was 3 years old. She grew up in Glendale, AZ, attending both elementary and high school there. After graduation, she married George H. Thomas Jr. in 1942. After marrying, she went on to manage several family businesses including a ranch, a service station and a real estate office. Later in life she worked as a records supervisor for AZ MVD until retirement. Elizabeth was a wonderful wife and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was always a lady and a woman of high ideals. She has been a Worthy Matron in the Order of the Eastern Star, Diamond Chapter #7; and president of Chapters I and V, and a current member of Chapter EL, in PEO International. A friend once said of her "She is the nicest person that I\u0027ve ever known. She never has a bad thing to say about anyone." Elizabeth loved to travel and was able to visit much of our beautiful country with various family members. As a traveler, she loved to sit in the front seat and observe everything. She was so interested in her surroundings and the beauty of our country. She enjoyed watching T.V., reading and doing crossword puzzles and other brain games. Elizabeth was predeceased by her husband, George H. Thomas Jr.; her brother, Vernon Bice and her sister, Lois Hickman. She is survived by her sons, Donald (Karin) Thomas of Florida, Richard (Bessie) Thomas of Camp Verde, AZ and Bill (Peggie) Thomas of Tucson, AZ; her daughter Margie (Dave) Beach of Cottonwood, AZ; her brother Leonard (Donna) Bice of Peoria, AZ ; her sisters Donna (Wesley) Darby of Phoenix, AZ and Vesta Roper of Glendale, AZ; seven grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. A celebration of Elizabeth\u0027s life will be held at Westcott Funeral Home on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 2 PM. Donations in her memory may be made to the Verde Historical Society, PO Box 511, Cottonwood, AZ 86326. An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com