Jonimerle Thomas

Jonimerle Thomas was born in Hedley, TX on November 18, 1921 to John and Thetis Pickett. She was ushered into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, November 28, 2015 at the age of 94 years.Jonimerle graduated from Hedley High School in 1939 and from Clarendon Junior College in 1941. She also attended Texas State College for Women in Denton.In 1942, she left college to move to Long Beach, California to work on military aircraft for Douglas Aircraft. She then enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps in 1943 serving until January 15, 1946. Jonimerle served as a chauffeur for General Officers, Admirals and other dignitaries, including Dwight Eisenhower, George Patton, Omar Bradley, George Marshall, Mark Clark, Bob Hope and many others.Jonimerle joyfully and proudly served her country during World War II for 31 months in Washington D.C. She is recognized for her service at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.Jonimerle married Captain Willis M. Thomas on January 25, 1946 in Amarillo, Texas. They lived in Hedley, Plainview, and Dumas, TX before moving to Clayton, NM in August of 1967. Jonimerle and Willis shared life together for 46 years, and she delighted in being a mother to Letty Craft.While residing in Clayton, she worked for First National Bank as a teller for 18 years.Jonimerle worshipped and served her Lord in the Methodist church and taught kindergarten Sunday school for over 30 years. In her later life, she continued to teach adult Sunday school classes. Jonimerle was also known as an avid gardener and cook, and loved sharing her garden bounty and culinary talents with all in the community.After suffering a stroke in July of 1999, Jonimerle moved to Midland, TX to be with her family. She embraced this transition with joy and settled into her new community, quickly making countless friends. The Lord blessed her with many dear friends in Community Bible Study, COM Aquatics, and her First Baptist Sunday school class. A highlight for Jonimerle was sharing her faith in Christ during her baptism on Palm Sunday at First Baptist Church in 2000.Jonimerle loved her family and adored watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up. She delighted in being “Grandma” not only to her immediate family, but also to all she met and befriended. Her family was richly blessed by her legacy of faith, her heart of a prayer warrior, and her love of Jesus and God’s word. On her last day on earth, Grandma loudly and beautifully prayed to her Heavenly father, praising Him for his love and blessings upon her life and then she prayed for her family. Her faith, trust and joy in the Lord were gifts that blessed her family and friends.Jonimerle is survived by her daughter Letty Craft and husband Ken of Midland, two granddaughters Shay Elliott and husband Ariel of Midland, Nicole Lancto and husband Greg of Midland, two great-grandsons Brandon Elliott of Dallas and Blake Elliott of Midland and two great-granddaughters Julia and Hannah Lancto of Midland. Jonimerle was preceded in death by her husband, Willis, her parents John and Thetis Pickett, her four brothers, and her one sister.Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. A service to celebrate Jonimerle’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at First Baptist Church in the chapel. Graveside services will be held in Clayton, NM on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at 2:00 pm.Her family extends their deepest appreciation to the staff of Parks Senior Living in Odessa, TX for their tender loving care of Jonimerle for the past 18 months.The family suggests memorial contributions be made to either Moms In Prayer International, P.O. Box 1120, Poway, CA 92074-1120 or Midland Fairhavens at 2400 Whitmire Blvd, Suite 100, Midland, Texas, 79705.,