It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Josephine Elizabeth Grimsinger Thomas, who left us on June 14th at the age of 87. Born on August 26th, 1937, she lived a life marked by kindness, resilience, empathy, and generosity.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Frances Grimsinger, her husband of 55 years, Claude Thomas, and her three brothers – Robert Grimsinger, Bill Grimsinger, and Raymond Grimsinger, Jr. She was a beloved and dedicated mother, and a source of strength and laughter to all who knew her. She was a proud grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother, each of whom brought her immeasurable joy. She cherished her role as ‘Mamaw’ even if you got a giant blue bowl of microwave macaroni and cheese soup or 14-day old leftover spaghetti. However, breakfast was the one meal to show up for – buttermilk biscuits from scratch, crispy bacon, eggs fried in the bacon grease, cantaloupe, and coffee. This was the breakfast of the Thomas house along with fresh tomatoes sliced and covered in pepper. Papaw may have chocolate cake and beans for dinner or a plate of saltine peanut butter crackers, but breakfast was it. Helping to coordinate and run a family establishment, All Star Lanes, her multitude of friends and acquaintances each would have a story to tell of this sassy lady. Josephine was never seen without gaudy jewelry or fabulous flair. Josephine, the garage sale queen, rarely missed one and if you needed something she would find it. Later in life she found companionship with Mr. Bobby, as she began another chapter in her book of life. She cherished that time greatly.
Josephine is survived by her children - Claudia Rockett (Monty), Cathy Reynolds (Steve), Brenda Thomas, and Michael Thomas (Shelly), her grandchildren - Jason Robertson, Brandon Garsee (Shannon), Heather McKuhen (Jath), Kristen Winstead (Mike Terral) Dustin Williford (Kaitlin Andrews), Garrett Thomas, and C.J. Thomas, great grandchildren - Kelsey Hall (Chris), Kerrigan Garsee, Kamryn Garsee, Landon Hudlow, Ian Robert McKuhen, Mackenzie Peters, Kimber Winstead, Remi Winstead, Lauren Ray, and great-great grandchildren – Taylor, Stetson, Axel, Clark, Witton, Shep, Noah, Brooklynn, Parker, Haiden, Jaxon and Jesse.
Honoring her as pallbearers will be Landon Hudlow, Garrett Thomas, Jath McKuhen, Brandon Garsee, Dustin Williford, Monty Rockett, and Steve Reynolds. Honorary pallbearer, Foster Dukes.
A Visitation for Josephine will be held Friday, June 20, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, Louisiana 71108, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 AM with Bro. Coy Fuqua officiating. She will be laid to rest in Centuries Memorial Park promptly following the services.
The family would like to thank the staff of Garden Park for the time she was a resident. Special thanks to Linda Jacobs and Foster Dukes for the weekly visits with treats.
