Annabelle Smythe Thomas

Annabelle (Smythe) Thomas, 91, life-long resident of Evansville, passed away quietly Sunday, August 28, 2016, at St. Mary’s Medical Center. She was born April 7, 1925 – the third of four children – to the late John Alvin and Clara Marie (Frey) Smythe. She was preceded in death by her older sister, Mary Emma (Smythe) McMahon; older brother, John Thomas Smythe; and younger brother, Richard Smythe. Upon graduation from Bosse High School she worked at Willard Library and as a bookkeeper for Utterback’s Jewelers and General Cigar Company.

Annabelle was a loving wife and mother, and cherished every moment she spent with her four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was a life-long member of Oak Hill Bible Fellowship (formerly Oak Hill Presbyterian Church), where she and her husband, Harold, were active youth fellowship leaders, vacation Bible school instructors, and Sunday school and Bible study group participants. Through her faith, devotion to family, gentle grace, wisdom, and boundless energy she touched the lives of countless people.

Annabelle is survived by her husband of sixty-eight years, Harold C. Thomas; and her sons, Stephen H. Thomas and wife, Sally (Wertman) Thomas of Las Cruces, NM and Mark E. Thomas and wife, Sandra (Rohovetz) Thomas of Owensville, IN; grandchildren, John Edward Thomas of Evansville; Betsy Ann (Thomas) Tenbarge and husband, Gavin Tenbarge, of Haubstadt, Amy Jean (Thomas) Koester and husband, Brandon Koester, of Princeton, and Sarah Marie Thomas of Evansville; and great-grandchildren, Stella Elizabeth, Mya Grace Tenbarge, and Amelia Jean Koester.

Annabelle’s family is especially thankful to the physicians and nursing staff at St. Mary’s Medical Center for the outstanding, compassionate care provided for her, and to Gibson County EMS for their equally outstanding service.

Funeral Services will be 10:00 AM Thursday, September 1, 2016, at Alexander East Chapel, officiated by Rev. Cliff Herring and Rev. Eric Rawdon, with private burial in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit Wednesday from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Evansville Rescue Mission at http://www.evansvillerescuemission.org/ or Child Evangelism Fellowship at https://www.cefonline.com/. Friends unable to attend the visitation or service may send condolences to the family at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.