Carolyn A. Thomas, age 82, of Caldwell, Ohio, died Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at Altercare Summit Acres. She was born July 24, 1941, in Cambridge, daughter of the late Fred W. and Helen A. Groves Saunders. She retired in 1996 from March Electric in Cambridge and also worked as a receptionist for GMN in Byesville. Carolyn attended Ragan’s Chapel in Belle Valley and the Ava United Methodist Church and she wrote every word in the Bible by hand into a notebook. She enjoyed sewing, cross stitching, flowers and gardening, and reading. She loved spending time with her grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Forrest D. Thomas, Sr., whom she married November 8, 1957, and who died in January, 2004; a great-granddaughter, Savannah Bates; a great-grandson, Liam Bates; one sister, R. Frances Strauss; and one brother, F. William Saunders.
Surviving are her children, Daya S. Kirkman of Statesville, North Carolina, Juanita D. “Nita” (Joseph) Yurco of Mooresville, North Carolina, Teresa L. (James) Clark, Jr. of Caldwell, Forrest Duane Thomas, Jr. of Caldwell, and Bobbi Jo (Edward) Christopher of Catawba, North Carolina; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; her siblings, Henry L. (Fran) Saunders of Centerville, Sharon K. (Wayne) Clark of Caldwell, and Robert F. (Barbara) Saunders of Jacobsburg; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service will be observed Sunday, December 3, 2023, at 2PM at McVay-Perkins Funeral Home, 416 East Street, Caldwell, with Pastor George Clark officiating. Inurnment will follow at Sharon Cemetery.
