Naomi Peddicord Thomas

Naomi Peddicord Thomas, 89, of Raleigh, died Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at Rex HealthCare. Born in Cleveland, OH, Naomi was the daughter of the late Oscar F. Peddicord and Helen Frances Wheeler. She grew up in Potsdam, NY; she was a 1944 graduate of Syracuse University and member of Chi Omega Sorority.

Naomi is survived by her children Karen Thomas Judge, Diane Thomas Burnette and husband Andy, Kathleen Naomi Thomas, all of Raleigh, and Raymond Joseph Thomas Jr of Annandale, VA; three grandchildren Lindsey Merissa Judge, Elizabeth Blair Burnette, and Thomas Andrew Burnette. She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond Joseph Thomas and daughter Maureen Thomas Jordan.

After graduating from Syracuse, Naomi served with the Red Cross in Saipan at the end of WWII. She moved to Raleigh, where she worked in the Engineering Research Department at NC State University. She married Raymond Thomas in 1955. They moved to Wilson in 1969, where she lived until becoming a resident of Abbotswood Senor Living Community in 2003.

She volunteered at the Wilson County Humane Society, Community Soup Kitchen, and Senior Center, and she active in the Prime Timers of St. Therese Church. She was an avid animal lover. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Wake County SPCA or Raleigh Safe Haven for Cats.

Naomi will be dearly missed by her family and many friends at Abbotswood. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7-9 p.m. at Brown-Wynn Funeral Home at 1701 East Millbrook Rd. A celebration of life will be held for the residents of Abbotswood at a future date.