Shirley Ann Thomas

Shirley went to work for Thiokol Ammunition Plant after high school in the 1960s. She then was employed as an inventory manager for Louisiana Downs in 1974. In 1979, she began working for Bossier Medical Center as a medical coder and remained with the company for 19 years until their closure. Shirley then continued her career in the Willis Knighton Hospital System for 12 years until her retirement in 2010.

Shirley's favorite past time was making her divinity fudge candy that she learned from her mother-in-law and sharing it with all of her friends and family. This passion became a tradition that she passed down through the family. She also had a love for country music and enjoyed going out to line and square dance with her friends. Shirley was also known for her appreciation of the color red, which was present from her clothing to her decor. Above all, Shirley's greatest love was her family, dearest friends, and her Lord and Savior. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Haughton.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Warren H. Halley and Susie R. (Huey) Tidwell-Lawrence; son, Brian P. Thomas; husband, James R. Thomas, Sr.; brother, James L. Evans, Sr.; sister, Connie McKinnie; brother-in-law, Leon Tanck; daughter, Paula Fuller; and grandson-in-law, Justin Black.

Left to cherish her memory is her sister, Barbara Tanck; son, Robby Thomas; daughter, Stacey (Robert) Boyce; daughter-in-love, Michelle Hollowell; four grandchildren, Mandie (Eric) Barnett, Brittany Black, Alexandria (Noah) Boyce-Parsons, and Levin (Grace) Boyce; nine great-grandchildren, Brandon Barnett, Alissa Barnett, Kaylee Barnett, Kara Barnett, Corbin Black, Ella Black, Auralynn Parsons, Ashton Boyce, Declan Boyce, and one on the way; nephews, Damon (Stephanie) Tanck, Shannon (Jenise) Tanck, and James L. (Wendy) Evans, Jr.; nieces, Jamie McKinnie-Smith and Nickie (Ryan) Powell; and numerous great nieces and nephews, cousins, and a host of family and friends.

A visitation for Shirley will be held Thursday, December 5, 2024, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Hill Crest Funeral Home & Park, 601 Highway 80 East, Haughton, Louisiana 71037. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel at Hill Crest Funeral Home & Park with Rick Wolf officiating with an interment service to follow. A gathering will be hosted for family only on December 6, 2024, at 11:30 AM at First Baptist Church of Haughton, 105 East Washington Avenue, Haughton, Louisiana 71037.

The family would like to extend their eternal gratitude to the staff at The Glen Retirement System in The Cottages. Thank you for caring for Shirley for the past five years.

Special thank you to the life-long friendships formed with Frank, Mary, and Broox Hughes for being a light in Shirley's life.