Edwina Thomas

Edwina Louise Durden Thomas, 86, of Brenham, widow of Lloyd Thomas, died Thursday, April 2, 2009 in Trinity Medical Center. Mrs. Thomas was born July 29, 1922 to Byron Dewitt and Mary Lizzie Jones Durden in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She was baptized October 19, 1941 by Rev. Geo. N. Cook at First Baptist Church in Brenham. On June 7, 1941, she married Lloyd Thomas in First Baptist Church. Mrs. Thomas served faithfully as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Prairie Lea Cemetery Association from 1973 until her death. Survivors include her sisters Dorothy Schwettmann of Brenham and Ella Marie Clayton and husband Bill of Bedias; nieces Frances Applewhite, Linda Kay Thomas, both of Brenham; Shirley Jean Clayton of Tomball; Cathy Jo Brewster of Reno, Nevada; nephew Perry Lee Thomas III of Brenham, Jack Griffin of Houston, and a sister-in-law, Marie Thomas of Brenham. Preceding her in death were her husband, Lloyd Thomas, Sr.; sons, Perry Dewitt Thomas, Lloyd Thomas, Jr., and Jerry Al Thomas; her parents, Byron and Mary Durden; father-in-law and mother-in-law, and a sister and brother-in-law, Kathryn and Leslie Clayton. Funeral services for Edwina Louise Thomas will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 4, 2009 at Memorial Oaks Chapel, with Rev. Larry Embry and Mr. Charles Matejowsky officiating. Burial will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery. Visitation with family and friends will be held Friday from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Serving as pallbearers are Paul Ehlert, Mark Wilkening, Jerry Kohring, Jack Griffin, Lonnie Landgraf, Jason Janes, Roland Wittner, and Perry Nickie Thomas. Honorary pallbearers are Mike Arth, Dr. Glenn Gaines, Melvin Kelm, Daniel Applewhite, Clarence Gerke, Wayne Giese, Roger Appelt, officers, directors and employees of Prairie Lea Cemetery Association and the deacons of Calvary Baptist Church. Memorials may be directed to the building fund of Calvary Baptist Church, the Brenham Cemetery Association, or to the American Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. To view the obituary online or to post a tribute online visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.