Billie Jean Thomas

Obituary Billie Jean Thomas left this earth for her Heavenly home on July 4, 2019 at the age of 88 years. Billie was born in Grandfield, Oklahoma on April 30, 1931. She was the first of two daughters of Jean and Ned Sellars. Billie spent her early years playing with her beloved sister Peggy Sue on the farm of her grandparent's William and Martha Atchley in Grandfield. Billie and Peggy would remain best friends throughout their lives. When she was seven her mother Jean married her stepfather, Ernest Roark. While living in Duncan, Oklahoma during high school Billie met and fell in love with a rough and tumble young farm boy named Russell Thomas. They married in 1948 and would remain married until his death in 2013. From this 65-year union they had four sons, Jack, Jim, Dennis and Gary, who married and gave her four daughters in-law, Jan, Laira, Monica and Cherie. They provided her with seven grandchildren, Abi, Colette, Chelsea, Kaila, Jacy, Tristan, Lyndy and one great grandchild, Sylvie. She loved them all dearly. Russell and Billie and the boys moved to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma in 1968 where Billie became involved in church activities. From First Baptist Broken Arrow, to a founding member of Faith Baptist Church, to Calvary Baptist and First Baptist Coweta, and finally the last four years at Calvary Bible in Idaho. Billie was active in all phases of teaching Sunday School and voluntary ministry. She met many wonderful friends who remained life-long and cherished partners. Even after she moved to Idaho in 2015 with her son's family, she remained in frequent contact with many of these friends. Billie was a proud homemaker all of her life while caring for her sons and husband Russell. Billie's life revolved around her family and church. She had a special love of sports from watching her sons play through the years. Although she couldn't throw a ball or shoot a basket very well Billie could tell you the starting roster and the injured reserve list from her beloved Los Angeles Dodgers. She was especially fond of listening to the play call by renowned announcer Vin Scully. Billie was an excellent cook and specialized in Southern Comfort Food. She welcomed and fed many people through the years at her dinner table in Broken Arrow. One never went away hungry or without a delicious desert when you ate at Billie's house. She loved hosting holiday parties and backyard barbeques for her family and friends. Billie was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, her beloved husband Russell, eldest son Jack, brother in law Toby Foster and her precious great niece Caroline. She is survived by her sons Jim, Dennis, Gary and their wives, and the grandchildren and great grandchild previously mentioned. She also leaves behind her sister Peggy Sue Foster, niece Lu An Spahn, nephew Neal Dean Foster and wife Lisa, great nephews Isaac and Niles Foster and niece Nancy Ann Thomas of Boise, Idaho. Plus, a host of other relatives and wonderful friends. A Celebration of Billie Thomas's life will be held Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Coweta, Oklahoma with interment at the Vernon Cemetery in Coweta, Oklahoma immediately following the service. Family and friends may share memories online at www.brownfamilycares.com. The family of Billie Jean Thomas entrusted her care and services to Brown Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 210 S. Broadway, Coweta, OK 74429, 918-486-5515. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Billie Jean Thomas, please visit our floral store.

Billie Jean Thomas

April 30, 1931 - July 4, 2019