Roma Lee Thomas

Roma Lee Niles Thomas, age 81, daughter of Austin and Doris Niles, passed away January 4, 2012 in Oklahoma City, OK. She was born December 14, 1930, in Smith Center, Kansas. Roma is survived by her daughter, Toni Thomas Riess and her husband, Douglas; her sons Tim Thomas of Oklahoma City; Tyler Thomas of Tulsa, OK; and Ernie Thomas and his wife, Tracy, of La Canada, CA; eight grandchildren: Gregory Baldwin, Mike and Christopher Riess, Kyle and Connor Thomas, Jaedra Thomas Briner, Nathan and Austin Hercyk and three great grandchildren: Wyatt, Lela and Baylee Briner; one sister, Ardis Watts and her husband, Loren of Kansas City, MO; and brother, Alfred Niles and his wife Libby of Rolla, MO; nieces, nephews and numerous friends. Roma was preceded in death by her daughter, Teri Renee Hercyk. Roma was an elementary teacher in Kansas, and a stay-at-home Mom before becoming a Registered Nurse, working in the Ponca City Hospital and Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, OK. She retired in 1996. She was an avid collector (including salt cellars) and loved playing bridge, especially with her friends in the Chapel Hill Bridge Club since 1999. Roma cherished her children, grandchildren and friends and thoroughly enjoyed their activities. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in memory of Roma Thomas to: The Infant Crisis Services Center of Oklahoma City, 4224 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105, www.infantcrisis.org.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 7, at Chapel Hill Funeral Home. Internment will follow the memorial service. Visitation hours will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., on Friday, January 6, also at Chapel Hill Funeral Home.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapel Hill Funeral Home, Oklahoma City, OK.