Lois Mae Thomas

Lois Mae Thomas, age 90, passed away Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at Dover Park Village Health Care Center. She was born August 31, 1931, in Cleveland, Ohio to Henry L. Crouch and Fern (Smith) Crouch. She resided in New Philadelphia, Ohio since 2009.

Lois graduated from West High School in Cleveland, Ohio.  She worked various administrative jobs prior to her marriage to Rev. William B. Thomas on September 13, 1952.  Together they ministered in the East Ohio United Methodist Conference area for over forty years.  Lois had been a choir director at several churches that they were assigned. She loved music and singing. She loved art, doing sketches and oil paintings on canvas. Lois also had a green thumb in caring for her flowering plants.

Before moving to New Philadelphia, she and her husband had retired to Copeland Oak Retirement Community in Sebring, Ohio, where they were very active.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Mrs. Gloria Lloyd of Avon Lake, Ohio; daughters, Mrs. Christine (Brent) Laner and Ms. DeAnn (Barry Brown) Thomas of Ravenna, Ohio; son, Mr. Duane (Annette) Thomas of Peoria, AZ; granddaughters, Ms. Carrie Guttu of New Philadelphia, OH, Mrs. Rachel (Steven) Dyer of Peoria, AZ, Mrs. Sarah (Eric) Secules of Kansas City, MO, Mrs. Lydia (Matt) Strother of Peoria, AZ; grandson, Mr. Charles Potter of Norfolk, VA; step-grandchildren, Jesse Malson, Jr. of New Matamoras, OH, Victor Malson of Sardis, OH, Patrick Malson of Akron, OH, Holly Laner of Lancaster, Abby Margo of Coraopolis, PA, Greg Laner of Bolivar, OH, Jimmy Laner of Idaho Falls, ID; and eight great-grandchildren; abd a niece and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 11 a.m. at New Philadelphia First United Methodist Church with Rev. Brandon Keck conducting the service. There will be no calling hours prior to the service. Friends and family may join the family at the church following the memorial service.  Inurnment will be held in New Philadelphia.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105 or First United Methodist Church, 201 West High Avenue New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.