Willa Dean Thomas

Willa Dean Thomas passed away peacefully on June 29, 2023. She was born in Booneville, Arkansas on October 26, 1926, the daughter of Luther Bates and Rosa (Green) Bates. She grew up with her two sisters Olene, and Thelma. Willa was football home coming queen of her local high school and married Melbern Thomas in July 1947.

She and Melbern welcomed a daughter, Cheryl, in 1949. They lived in Kansas City, Missouri for 40 years before moving to Cary, North Carolina. In their retirement they enjoyed traveling together, including going to Hawaii and traveling the coast in North Carolina. She enjoyed both of their grandchildren, Chris and Amanda, and took care of them on school breaks. She was wonderful at helping to play house, doctor, and beauty shop. She made sure no one was hungry, always offering more if it was wanted. She was a kind, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

She is preceded in death by her father Luther Bates of Arkansas, her mother Rosa Bates of Arkansas, her sister Thelma Allen of Arkansas, and her loving husband of 71 years Melbern Thomas of Cary, North Carolina.

She is survived by her sister Olene Durham of Booneville, Arkansas, her daughter Cheryl Jones and husband, Dan Jones of Cary, North Carolina, grandson Chris Jones and wife, Kiki Murphy of Raleigh, North Carolina, granddaughter Amanda Tapp, and husband, Brian Tapp of Raleigh, North Carolina, and great-granddaughter Emily Tapp.

A visitation for Willa will be held Wednesday, July 12, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 10:45 PM at Mausoleum Chapel at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7501 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612. Following the visitation will be a graveside service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7501 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Thomas family.