Bessie Thomas

Bessie L. Thomas

Age 77 of Wilmington, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, June 3, 2018 at her home in Wilmington, Illinois.

Born October 18, 1940 in Saline County, Illinois, Bessie was a daughter of Willie B. “Bill” and Grace Valentine (Stewart) Harris. She was raised and educated in Galatia, Illinois and on April 6, 1957, Bessie married Donald Ray Thomas in Galatia. He preceded her in death on January 28, 2002.

Bessie was a loving mother, who was active with her children’s activities when they were growing up, and participated in their parent teacher organizations. She and Don bowled on a league for several years, and in former years she was a member and attended Phelan Acres Bible Church in Wilmington.

One who loved the outdoors, Bessie took great pleasure in bird watching and gardening. She had a great interest in genealogy and most treasured spending time with her family.

Survivors include five children: Cathy (Greg) Hansen and Linda Thomas, both of Wilmington, Karen (Brian) Severson of Dwight, Patty (John) MacIntyre of Marion, Iowa and Donald, Jr. (Rhonda) Thomas of Seymour, Tennessee; (13) grandchildren: Timothy and Gregory Hansen, Jenny and John Jr. MacIntyre, Laura (Michael) Langguth, Luke, Seth (Anna), Joel and Sarah Severson, Elizabeth, Jessica and Donald Thomas, III, and Felisha Yeates; one great granddaughter, Eleanor Grace MacIntyre; siblings: Allegra “Leag” (Luke) Bradley of Tennessee, James Harris of Wilmington and Monnie (the late Don) Dowdy of Indiana; one sister-in-law, Loretta (the late Carl) Pry of West Frankfort and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as her special friends, Shirley Chandler and Teresa Brandon-Pollack.

Bessie was preceded in death by her parents, and husband.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 10, 2018 between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington.

Funeral services will follow Tuesday, June 12, 2018 in Galatia, Illinois and burial will be in Ebenezer Cemetery, where Bessie will be laid to rest with her late husband Donald, Sr.

Bessie’s grandsons will act as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers.

Preferred memorials in lieu of flowers may be made as gifts in Bessie’s memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or to Joliet Area Community Hospice.

Family and friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share Bessie’s memorial page online by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com

Local arrangements and services have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815-476-2181)