Ruth Deumite Thomas

Ruth Deumite Thomas passed away very peacefully at home on September 25, 2025. She was born on December 13, 1928, in Oberlin, LA to Norman and Rose Deumite. Upon graduating from Oberlin High School as valedictorian she attended Southwestern Louisiana University. In 1949 at a Lebanese convention in Tyler, TX, she met the love of her life, K. J. Thomas. After their marriage in 1950 she moved to Baton Rouge to support his career and begin their family.

Ruth was the Queen of her kitchen and was the happiest when cooking and hosting dinners and parties for family and friends. In later years as her children left home they always made their way home every Sunday for family dinner and needless to say the numbers grew through the years. Her Lebanese heritage led her to master the art of Lebanese cooking something that she has passed down to her children and grandchildren. Her hummus was frequently requested at home and away from home so much that in 2016 along with her 3 daughters Ruth’s Hummus was born for everyone to enjoy. She was a woman of faith and family. She loved her Catholic faith and was a devoted member of Our Lady of Mercy Church for 70 years where she served as a Eucharistic minister and a committed adorer. As a Lady of the Holy Sepulcher, she was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem. She belonged to a neighborhood rosary group for many years as the rosary was an important part of her prayer life.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband, Karam John “K.J.” Thomas, her parents, her brothers Edward, Alee, Louis and Phillip Deumite.

She is survived by her children Karen (Mike) Darnall, Phillip (Linda) Thomas, Patricia Thomas, Kathy (Kent) Broha, John (Beverly) Thomas. Her grandchildren Kaylyn (Charlie) Hager, Kristen (Adam) Serrano, John (Maria) Darnall, Brian Thomas, Michael Thomas, Jason Broha (Hance Hughes), Ashley Broha, Matthew (Amy) Broha, Turner Hunter, Spencer Thomas and Kathryn Thomas. Her great grandchildren Bryce and Korbett Hager, Madison and Amelie Mann, Daniel and Jacob Serrano, Elizabeth, Rebekah and Phillip Thomas, Shepherd, Lizette and Mark Kent Broha, Ruth and Murphy Darnall. She is also survived by her brother Norman “Junior” (Kay) Deumite and many nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

The family wishes to thank the Amedisys hospice team who lovingly cared for her and for her devoted personal caregivers Fadila and Crystol who loved her as their Mom.

Visitation Thursday, October 2 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church with a Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m. Interment in Greenoaks Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church or school, The Rose Marie Hance Deumite Family Endowed Scholarship at St. Joseph’s Academy or Catholic High School.