Miriam Walters Thomas

Miriam Elizabeth Walters Thomas passed away at Cadence Memory Unit in Mint Hill on March 5, 2026. She was born August 4, 1935 to the late Vera Efird Walters and William B. Walters in New Salem. She worked alongside her brothers and sisters in the cotton and corn fields. She graduated from New Salem School where she was an All County Basketball player and was the Inaugural May Queen.

Miriam was a strong woman of great faith. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Known for her wonderful meals, especially country style steak and macaroni and cheese, and delicious desserts like her carrot cake. She and her husband Jerry were charter members of East Baptist Church, where she was a faithful servant as long as her health permitted. Upon retiring from Southern Bell with thirty years service, she remained active in the Telephone Pioneers.

Miriam enjoyed time with her family, spending many years at Lake Tillery where she loved reading, boating, pitching horseshoes and watching her family fish and water-ski. She fiercely loved her family and was proud of them.

Miriam was married to the love of her life Clifford Jerry Thomas for forty years until his death in 1996. They had two sons and spent many days watching them play sports and washing way too many ball uniforms.

Miriam had quite the competitive spirit all of her life. She wanted to win at cards, games and even corn hole while a resident at Cadence. While working in the cotton fields, she always dreamed of being on one of the airplanes that flew overhead. She made that dream a reality, traveling the world and visiting all fifty states. There was never a trip she was invited on that she didn’t attend.

Miriam is survived by her two loving sons; Randy and wife Susan, Tracy and his wife Connie. Grandchildren Joseph Thomas (Courtney), Elizabeth T. Merriman (Thad), C.J. Thomas (Deborah) and Camryn T. Huntley (Jamison). Great-grandchildren Winston and Barrett Thomas, Edith Merriman and Valley Huntley. She is also survived by many special nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

She was proceeded in death by her siblings: Clarence Walters, Doris Parker, Geneva Curran, Bryte Hyatt, Bennett Walters, Bobby Gene Walters, Evelyn Polk, Melvin Walters, Mozelle Walters and Ronnie Walters.

The family would like to thank her special care giver Kelly, with Honest Home Health Care, for the love and support she received at home prior to moving to Cadence. Additionally, the family would like to thank the Memory Unit of Cadence at Mint Hill for their patient and loving care of our Mother during the last year of her life.

Memorials can be made to East City Church Senior Citizens group or VIA Health Partners Hospice and Palliative Care.