Carmela Rose Thomas

Carmela Rose Thomas, 96, of Temple, passed away Monday, December 9, 2019. Carmela was born in Syracuse, New York on July 16, 1923 to Italian immigrants Anacleto and Clelia Nardiello. Although Carmela began losing her sight in her early thirties and became completely blind by the age of 40, she never considered herself handicapped. She became a real estate investor and a local political activist. She loved cooking and was always ready to feed anyone that came to visit. Beginning in her 60’s, her favorite past time involved trips to Shreveport, LA. Her last trip to a casino was only four weeks prior to her passing. Her husband of 66 years, John Thomas preceded her in death in 2008. She was also preceded in death by one sister Rose Brown of New York and one great-grandchild Hunter Whatley.

Carmela is survived by one son John Thomas and wife, Melody of Troy and one daughter Kibbie Thomas Saxon of Temple. Her grandchildren, Lee Droemer and wife, Lexi of Oklahoma, Matthew Droemer of Temple, Jeremy Swift and wife, Brittaney of Liberty Hill, Tx; Jennifer Whatley and husband, Glen of Midlothian, TX; Kibbie Rose Thomas of Troy, and Karen Ramírez and husband, René of Dallas. Carmela was especially proud of her great-grandchildren, Chase Whatley, Luke Whatley, Drew Swift, Thomas Swift, Delton Bynum, Ella Ramírez, Jacob Bynum, Andrew Bynum and Isabella Droemer. Other survivors include one brother, Mario Nardello of New York and a sister, Jeanette Hilscher of New York and two sisters-in-law, Barbara Thomas of Houston and Sylvia Thomas of Temple, along with many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, December 13, 2019 at Hillcrest Cemetery in Temple. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Charles Bonnet Syndrome Foundation (www.charlesbonnetsyndrome.org) or American Foundation for the Blind (afb.org).

 Scanio-Harper Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.