Gloria Thomasson

Gloria was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, and a cherished presence in the lives of countless children and families. She was a woman whose life was defined by hard work, love, generosity, and an unwavering devotion to the people she held dear.

Gloria spent 28 years working in the insurance industry before beginning a second career that became one of her greatest joys – owning and operating her own home daycare for 20 years. Her daycare journey began with Ashlee, the baby of one of her daughter’s best friends, and from there, Gloria opened her heart and her home to numerous children. She did far more than care for them; she helped raise them, nurture them, teach them, and love them as though they were her own. The children who passed through her home became a lasting and treasured part of her life. She was known to ALL children as Memaw or Mimi.

Gloria was an incredibly hard worker, but she also knew how to fill a home with warmth and love. She had a tremendous gift for cooking and baking and took great pleasure in feeding her family. She was an amazing cook, and there was perhaps no greater expression of her love than preparing something delicious for the people she loved. Her kitchen was a place where meals were made, memories were created, and family gathered together.

Gloria also had a special love for decorating her home. She decorated for every season and every holiday, but Christmas held an especially special place in her heart. She took great pride in making her home beautiful, festive, and welcoming. Even after suffering her stroke, Gloria’s love for her home and her traditions never faded. She continued to give her husband, Alton, detailed instructions on how she wanted the house decorated. She even offered her guidance in the kitchen, teaching and directing him as he cooked and affectionately telling him that he was turning out to be a “good house husband”.

Above all, Gloria loved her family deeply. She loved and adored her husband, Alton, her daughters and sons-in-law, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren. Her family was her greatest treasure, and the love she poured into them will continue to live on through each generation.

She also leaves behind a much larger family – the numerous children she helped raise through her daycare and the families who trusted her with their most precious gifts. The impact she had on those children cannot be measured simply in years of care. She gave them comfort, guidance, laughter, nourishment, and most importantly, love.

Gloria’s life was one of devotion – to her family, to her work, to her home, and to the many children whose lives she touched. She leaves behind not only memories, but a legacy of love that will continue through the people she cared for and the lives she helped shape.

She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished by all who had the blessing of knowing her.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, Oran and Opal Collier; her brothers, James Collier and Kenneth Collier; as well as her sisters, Ruth Husky, Nita Smith, and Shirley McFaul.

Gloria is survived by her devoted husband, Alton Thomasson; two brothers, Carroll Collier and Gary Collier; her loving daughters, Carla Beghtel, Jana Thomasson, and Cecilia Hamm and her husband Cody Hamm; her grandchildren, Brandon (Shaye) Beghtel, Cody (Jessica) Beghtel, Jeremy (Tiffany) Beghtel, Ryan (Holly) Beghtel, Daniella Thomasson, Chase Thomasson, Cassidy Thomasson, and Haeven Parks; her great-grandchildren, Braylee, Braxton, Brielle, Bryar, Kay-Lynn, Caden (Kasey), Haylie, Alliah, Savanna, and Peyton; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and greats that she adored.