Claudia C. Thomas

Born in 1934 in Palestine, Texas, she was a graduate of A. M. Story High School. A year after her graduation, she married a young Airman named Samuel Thomas. They shared a close, loving bond and were just about to reach 40 years of togetherness when he received his wings in1993.

As the wife of an Airman, she traveled with him to several Air Force Bases across the country, as well as traveling abroad to Germany. She was a dedicated mother first and foremost. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. She also enjoyed being a military wife, and adjusted to each new assignment with grace. She was outgoing and friendly, with a smile that could warm any heart. She became part of a network of seasoned military wives who supported and assisted new military wives with various issues or navigating military procedures. From her ceramics & craft classes, to her card clubs, bowling league, or the PTA, she delighted in the variety of opportunities available to her.

Claudia held a number of different positions through out her life; from retail cashiering to working at a hospital preparing patient food trays. Her final position was with Dobbs House at DFW Airport, where she prepared the linens used for Delta Airlines first class passengers.

Her faith was an important part of her life that she took seriously. At every assignment location, she was a member of the choir, taught Sunday School and attended bible study regularly. When she was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Arlington, TX, she spearheaded the creation of a Day Care Center. She was named Director of the Center and served in that capacity for several years. She was a giving, compassionate woman who gave of her time and resources for causes close to her heart; food banks, veterans, children and those in need.

Claudia was preceded in death by her loving husband Samuel T. Thomas, brother Jimmy Criss, sister Onie Lee Jones, niece Johnnie C. Jones Clerkley, nephew William Weatherford, grandson Jonathan Armstead, and cousin Corey Clerkley.

She is survived by her daughters, Pamela Thomas Cunningham and Paula Thomas, who cared for her in their home in Austin, TX; sister-in-law Clara McReynolds of Riverside, CA; and brother Benny Criss of Palestine, TX. She is the adored “Mamo” of her grandchildren, Lynette Armstead and husband Fred of Ft. Worth, TX, Nanette Paul and husband Robert of San Diego, CA, Scott Sparks of Longview, WA; great grandchildren Army Specialist Anthony Lampkin, wife Katherine and great-great grandaughter, Sophia, who were recently deployed to Korea; Amari Paul, Jeremiah and Kayla Armstead; nephew James Weatherford; cousins, Oddiea Daughtery and husband Don, and Kenneth Clerkley, Jr., all of Palestine, TX

There will be a Memorial Service held on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Cook-Walden Funeral Home. Officiant will be Rev. Wendell Campbell, of West Mount Moriah Baptist Church, Ft. Worth, Texas.