Ruth Claire Bachelor Thomas was born in Hugh, Florida on March 18, 1929 to Beryl Bernice & Grover Cleveland Bachelor. Ruth passed away on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at the age of 93. She was the youngest of seven children.
Married at the young age of 16 to Johnnie McSweign Thomas, they started a family when she was 17 and they had five children before divorcing many years later. Ruth was industrious, talented, creative, and artistic. She struggled in her early married life with a deployed husband and no transportation or support but worked hard to provide for her two young girls. After years of working two jobs, she opened a successful gift and ceramic shop, House of Pisces. Not only did she teach macrame classes but made all the ceramic pieces in her home garage. Ruth loved music. She loved to sing and taught herself to play the harmonica as well as competed in ballroom dancing. After the sale of her gift shop, she began making jewelry and turned that into a thriving little business.
Family and food were the center of Ruth’s life. A fantastic cook, she made delicious meals from scratch as well as homemade biscuits and desserts. Sunday dinner at Ruth’s house was always like a Thanksgiving meal with lots of family, storytelling and playing around.
Ruth was diagnosed with dementia in her 80’s and moved to St. Catherine LaBoure Place where she passed on Saturday, January 28 at the age of 93. She enjoyed daily visits from her children sharing old stories, looking at old photos and singing her favorite songs. As her dementia progressed, she might forget names, but she was always happy to see her family.
Ruth was a kind, selfless and compassionate woman of faith. Her love for her children and grandchildren was unconditional and knew no bounds. She was a good daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and friend. She loved the fact that she was an American!
Ruth is survived by her children, Pamela Jean Atkins (Robert), Melanie Lynette Paris (Roger), Jerry McSweign Thomas (Brenda), Marsha Lynn Davidson (Randy), and Terry Lamar Thomas (Kathleen). She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. Ruth was predeceased by her parents, brothers, Gordon Bachelor, Grover Bachelor, Woodrow Bachelor, James Bachelor and sisters, Josephine Raines and Etta Malphurs as well as Luis Verdesoto, her long-time companion. The family expresses their appreciation for the loving care of all those at St. Catherine’s and her special friend and caregiver, Alice Theophile.
A Funeral service will be Friday February 3, 2023 at 11:00 AM followed by reception at 12:00 PM at Hardage-Giddens, Riverside Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205, Graveside service at 1:00 PM at Riverside Memorial Park, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Stephen Atkins, Brian Paris, Damon Thomas, Jason Thomas, Hayden Fenwick and Devon Parker.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the Thomas family.
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