Phyllis Ann Thomas

Phyllis Ann Waters Thomas, 92, of Gallipolis, Ohio departed this life on Friday, February 23, 2024.  She was born November 30, 1931, in Wadsworth, Ohio, the daughter of William Waldo Waters and Dorothy Chase Waters.  Phyllis and her family moved to Clintonville (Columbus) in 1936.  She graduated from North High School “Polar Bears” in 1950, where she was involved in numerous clubs, intramural sports, and was a Campfire Girl.  Phyllis went on to attend Ohio Wesleyan University where she was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority.  It was at Ohio Wesleyan, Phyllis met the love of her life, David Keith Thomas.  They married on September 5, 1954; and she spent the next few years traveling as an Air Force spouse.  Phyllis and Keith eventually moved back to Gallipolis to raise their three children and run Thomas Clothiers Corporation, while Phyllis did some substitute teaching.

Phyllis was a member of Grace Methodist Church, where she had served as president of Grace United Methodist Women and taught Sunday School.  She was leader of a Girl Scouts Brownie troop, where she loved to recall hiking with Grandma Gatewood.  She was a member of the French Art Colony, a past president of Junior Woman’s Club, and a member of Fleur de L’age, a club formed of close friends.  She loved to read and was a member of Philomatheans Book Club.  Phyllis and Keith loved their annual vacation to Hilton Head Island and traveling the country, where they created many memories with family.

In addition to her parents, Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Keith Thomas; son, Dave Thomas; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Kathryn Waters; son-in-law, Eric Saunders; and grandsons, Benjamin Saunders and Nathaniel Thomas.

Phyllis is survived by her sister, Sallie (Charlie) Morton; two children, Kari Saunders and Stephen (Valerie) Thomas; grandchildren, Tommy (Megan) Saunders, Justin (Erin) Saunders, Clint (Madeline) Saunders, David (Mary Beth) Saunders, Bethany Thomas, Kelsey Kerr, and Nicole Spangler; and great grandchildren, Emma and Kate Saunders, Royce and Titus Saunders, and Lyle and Lee Saunders.

Services for Phyllis will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Grace Methodist Church with Reverend Ray Kane officiating, followed by a burial at Mound Hill Cemetery and dinner at Grace Methodist Church.  Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 1, 2024 at Willis Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Tommy Saunders Justin Saunders, Clint Saunders, David Saunders, Bob Waters, and Charlie Morton.