Clara Louise Thomas

Clara was born on August 11, 1909 inStamps, Arkansas to her parents, Luther J. and Hudie Baker. She married W.J. Thomas on October 28, 1928 and was married for over 50 years. Clara was a resident of Beaumont for 66 years and was a dedicated member of The First Baptist Church of Beaumont since 1942 and taught in the primary eight Sunday school class. Mrs. Thomas was a homemaker and worked as a clerk in the men’s department for the Downtown White House Store and later worked at the A & P grocery in Beaumont. Clara became an accomplished oil portrait painter at the age of 55 and joined the Woman’s Club of Beaumont’s Art Department. She enjoyed fishing, watching the Houston Astros and professional golf tournaments in her spare time. Clara loved to travel and at the age of 81 she traveled with a group to China.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband, W.J. Thomas, parents, a son W.J. Thomas Jr., two sisters and two brothers.

Survivors include her son Jimmy Thomas and his wife JoAnn H. Thomas of Cleveland, Texas and her daughter Louise Lutrick of Beaumont. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 PM on Friday, May 2, 2014 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, May 2, 2014 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Larry Walker officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be to The First Baptist Church of Beaumont Building Fund, 3739 N. Major Dr. Beaumont, TX 77713, (409)833-1426.