Judith A Thomas

Born June 12, 1940 in Beardstown to Russell Lloyd and Ima Dorene (Smith) McCombs, she married Larry E. Thomas, Sr. on July 8, 1964.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her step-mother, Lillian McCombs; her step-father, Eugene Woodworth; her husband; two sisters, Inez Redding and Margaret Goss; and one brother, William McCombs.

Surviving are her son, Larry E. (Angie) Thomas, Jr. of Wilmer, Alabama; two daughters, Veda (Andy) Dowell of Green Valley and Becky (Terry) Graff of Pekin; thirteen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; four brothers, Russell McCombs, Jr., Ben (Anett) McCombs, Tim (Alicia) McCombs and David (Deborah) McCombs, all of Beardstown; and two sisters, Marsha (George Belville) Seward and Mary Ann (Scott) Davis, both of Beardstown.

Judy was passionate about cooking and never wanted to see anyone go hungry.  She was one of the original sisters that owned and operated Three Sisters Café in Pekin.  She later enjoyed cooking at the Pekin Amvets, where she was a lifetime member of the Amvets Auxiliary.  She then owned and operated Judy's Sky Ranch Restaurant in Manito, where she will be remembered for playing the best practical jokes on her customers.  She had also worked as a cook at Rankin Grade School and later worked in home health care, where she cherished her clients and developed a loving relationship with all of them.

Judy was a nurturer and loved rocking babies of any age, but especially her grandchildren.  She also loved animals and even rocked her dogs.  She had perhaps the largest collection of angels anyone has ever seen.

Her memorial visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, December 14, 2018 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. There will be no services.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Tazewell Animal Protective Society at 100 Taps Ln. Pekin, IL 61554 or to the Alzheimer's Association, Central Illinois Chapter, 614 W. Glen Ave. Peoria, IL 61614.