Bobbie V Thomas

Mrs. Bobbie V. Thomas was born Oct. 16, 1942, to the late Willie Woods and Melvina McFerrin in St. Louis.

Services will be held Saturday, April 22, at Lux Memorial Chapel, with visitation from 1 to 3 p.m. and a prayer service following. Funeral services will also be held in St. Louis at Reliable Funeral Home, with burial Jefferson Barracks Cemetery.

She married Freddie Lee Thomas Jr., her high school sweetheart, on Dec. 5, 1960, in St. Louis.

To this union two children were born, Pamela "Denise" Joyner and Shawn L. Thomas.

Dedicated and committed to her husband, Msgt. Freddie Thomas, she traveled all across the world, where they eventually settled in Rantoul in 1980

Bobbie confessed her faith in Christ at an early age and was baptized at New Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis.

Her love for God never wavered. She became a member of Greater New Light Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the Rev. Matthew Scott. She joined the Women's Mission, where she served faithfully until her illness.

Bobbie also had passion for children and their development. A former Head Start teacher, she opened her own licensed day care, Bobbie's Wee Tots.

One of her favorite pastimes was playing bingo at the American Legion, where she was a lifelong auxiliary member.

Time is not measured by the years you have lived, but by the deeds you do and the joy you give. Bobbie brought so much joy to her family and friends.

Bobbie is survived in loving memory by her devoted husband, Freddie L. Thomas Jr.; children, Pamela "Denise" Joyner and son Shawn L. Thomas (Gina); grandchildren, Christopher Childs, Eric Williams (Arika), Shawna Thomas, De'Shawn and Juan Thomas; a sister, Charlotte Thomas (Richard); six great-grandchildren, Jaylen, Andranae, Reece, Erianna, Aerion and Eric; sisters-in-law, Anita Ozier (Jay) and Patrice Thomas; brothers-in-law, Darnell, Jerome and Gerald Thomas (Sheba); snd a host of relatives and friends.