Mae Thomas

Bessie Mae Thomas, age 88, passed from this mortal life to her eternal home on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at her son’s home in Middleton, Idaho. 

Mae was born October 24, 1933, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Roy G and Bessie Rawlins Bailey. She was the big sister to her brother Gene and sister LaRee.  She spent her childhood years growing up in Pocatello, where she attended Bonneville elementary, later graduating from Pocatello High School in 1951. 

During her first years in high school, Mae worked at her Uncle Larry’s pie shop, placing small pies into bags and stapling them shut. She earned $9 a week.

While in high school, Mae met the love of her life - a black 1949 Ford Club Coupe. The car was owned by a handsome young man she had met at a dance named Vic Thomas. As the two dated through the winter holidays, Mae came to love Vic more than his car. They were married August 4, 1951, at the Bannock County court house in Pocatello.  Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple on January 4, 1962. Their children, Vicky and Rick, were sealed to them as an eternal family.

After their children started school, Mae went to work for Gem State Insurance, posting payments on a posting machine. When the IBM machine came onboard, she learned how to keypunch. She later used her office skills as both book keeper and receptionist for Green Plumbing. Mae later made an about face career change when she became a reading aide at Gate City Elementary School, helping with lunchroom and playground duties. Shortly thereafter, Mae became a Special Education aide. She loved helping kindergarten and 1^st grade children with their reading and spelling. She truly loved those little children.  In 1995, following years of service, Mae retired as secretary of Alameda Junior High School.

Both Mae and Vic enjoyed their summers together, gardening, traveling to visit their children and grandchildren, along with camping and fishing in Island Park.  After retiring, she and Vic started Snowbirding to Yuma, Arizona.  They eventually sold their 5^th wheel and purchased a small home in Yuma, spending their remaining good years year-round.  Mae loved both the orange and grapefruit trees and the cactus which grew in her yard. It was there in Yuma where she formed several endearing friendships. These friends joined a Red Hats Club. They loved going shopping and traveled together on bus tours, ate spaghetti at the casino, and enjoyed going to both movies and variety theater.

As a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mae’s favorite calling was serving as a Young Women leader, accompanying the girls to Girls’ Camp and coaching them in softball. She was simply young at heart, which made it easy for the girls to love her.

Mae is survived by her daughter Vicky Hale (Don), and her son Rick Thomas (Camille); Grandchildren Kelli, Kim, Michelle, Kari, TJ, Kourtney, and Heather, who have blessed her life with 16 great grandchildren and 5 great- great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 65 years; her two siblings and a grandson, Michael Blake Hale.

A viewing will be held Friday, June 10, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at 2:00 PM, with a viewing held prior to the services from 1:00-1:45PM. Both the viewing and funeral service will be held at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 West Chubbuck Road, Chubbuck, Idaho 83202. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Cemetery in Pocatello, Idaho.

 A webcast link is available below for anyone who would like to attend the service virtually.

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