Marilyn Mae Drash Thomas

She was born in Clarksville, TN, December 18, 1934. She grew up in Kinston, NC and Birmingham, AL where she was graduated from Ramsey High School. She earned a dual Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Education from Birmingham Southern University in June 1956.

She met her husband Owen Guion Thomas, Jr in 1948 as a 14 yr old while attending a birthday party with her older brothers. They were married on September 11, 1954, in the First Christian Church of Birmingham, AL officiated by her father the Rev. Dr. J Wayne Drash. She was a devoted wife to Owen as he was a husband to her. They enjoyed sixty-one busy, wonderful years together. She and Owen moved from Birmingham with three children to Chicago, IL followed by a move to Millbrae, CA where she gave birth to their fourth child, then on to San Francisco, CA, next Marianna, Fl, then Jacksonville, FL and finally Boone, NC. The last ten years in Boone included a winter home in St Augustine, FL (a cherished gift from their son).

It was in Jacksonville that they raised their four children. They became members of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, where she was an active member and volunteer. She also participated in community outreach as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.

She was a very present and devoted mother to her children, active in every aspect of their lives from Cub Scouts and Brownies to Sunday school and PTA. She supported every sport and extracurricular activity of all four children. Not to mention caring for all the cats, dogs, hamsters, birds, and anything else her husband and children dragged home. She truly enjoyed the countless hours she spent with her children, encouraging them, and setting an example for all of them to follow. This left very little time for herself, but somehow, she managed to spend time with friends playing bridge and tennis.

She and Owen moved to Boone, NC in 1982 where they both fell in love with mountain life. Marilyn took up cross country skiing, extensive gardening, canning vegetables, and birdwatching, in particular hummingbirds! They became members of Deerfield United Methodist Church where she lived out her faith in the life of the church, teaching Sunday school, becoming a member of the UMW and the Tuesday Morning Church Ladies. She loved participating in every church function including Santa’s Toy Box, Ham and Chicken Suppers, and the Ladies’ Christmas Luncheon and Fashion Show. She started her second career (first was motherhood!) while in the mountains. She became a teacher’s assistant at Blowing Rock Elementary and worked there for ten years. She was very dedicated to her students and cared deeply for each one. She and Owen remained in Boone until his death in 2016. Of all the places she lived, Boone was her favorite. She returned to Jacksonville in 2017 with her dog Ginger and took up residence at Brookdale Southside. There she continued to stay busy as a volunteer on the Welcome Committee. Through her work on the Welcome Committee and walking Ginger around the lake, she made many new friends. Marilyn was happiest doing for others.

She leaves behind a legacy of love and service that continues in the lives of all her children and grandchildren. Her positive influence will be felt in the generations to come, and she will be missed by all who knew her.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents Rev. Dr. Joseph Wayne Drash and Lois Marquerite Zimmerman Drash, her stepmother Eleanor Chenault Drash, her three brothers Dr. Philip Wayne Drash, Dr. Allan Lee Drash, Samuel Lewis Drash, and her husband of sixty-one years, Owen Guion Thomas, Jr.

She is survived by her four children Virginia Lee Thomas Morris (Rev. Dr. Robert) of Jacksonville, FL, David Owen Thomas of West Palm Beach, FL, Deborah (Betsy) Thomas Fabacher (Brian) of Vidalia, GA, Robin Thomas Kavan (Paul) of Tampa, FL, two sisters in law Ginny Drash Gannaway (George) of Chattanooga, TN, and Sallie Myhr Thomas Williford (Ed) of Brookhaven, MS, five grandchildren Lee Morris (Katy) of Humaco, PR, Daniel Morris (Natalie) of Mars Hill, NC, Kyle Fabacher (Margaret) of Atlanta, GA, Tori Fabacher of Atlanta, GA, Taylor Fabacher of Atlanta, GA and two great grandchildren Nolan Fisher Morris of Humaco, PR and Carleigh River Morris of Mars Hill, NC and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 9th at 10:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville with the Rev. Dr. Robert Morris, Jr officiating. A burial in Boone, NC to follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Young Life Arlington P.O. Box 8295 Jacksonville, FL 32239 or online at: https://giving.younglife.org/Jacksonville.Arlington or to Deerfield United Methodist Church 1184 Deerfield Rd Boone, NC 28607.