Garland Glenne Lewis

2/23/1919-8/16/2015

Beloved Grandmother, Great Grandmother, and Dear Friend

Passed away in her home Sunday morning surrounded by loved ones.

Garland Thomas was born to Glen and Alma Thomas on February 23, 1919, on a farm in Nebraska. The second of five children, Garland attended a rural, one room school through eighth grade, and graduated from Oakdale High School at 16 years old. Garland attended Wayne State Teacher College, and taught in the same one room school for several years.

She met her husband, Richard Lewis, in California, and when Richard shipped out with the Navy during World War II, Garland moved back to Nebraska. When he returned, they lived on a farm and started a family. Their two children, Joanne and Donald, were born in Nebraska, and the family was baptized together at the Tilden Methodist church.

In 1958, they returned to California and bought a home in Covina. Garland taught at a private school, and at the preschool at Covina Methodist church. In 1981, they both retired and bought a home in Hemet. They became members of the Hemet United Methodist church in 1981, and Garland was a member of Sarah Circle and treasurer for many years. Garland loved to travel to Europe, Hawaii, Nova Scotia, and take trips in an RV around the U.S. She loved dancing, playing cards, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren - they were the most important part of her life.

Garland was preceded in death by the loves of her life, her husband Richard, children Joanne and Donny, brothers, Raymond and Jack, and her sister and best friend, Lavonne. She is survived by her brother, Bob, four grandsons, Tom, Brent, Rich, and Alex, and four great grandchildren, Brittney, Tommy, Grant, and Abby Rose, and devoted companion, Rudolph Curiel.

Garland was a beautiful soul, kind, loving, honest, generous, and everyone she had a part in raising, and teaching cherished and learned from her the importance of these values. She was loved for her spirit and courage and will forever be in our hearts.