Lois Evelyn Thomas

Lois Evelyn (Burton) Thomas, 90 of Sedalia passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2020 at Sylvia Thompson Residence Center, Sedalia. She was born on April 19, 1930 in rural Pettis County, the third child of Bertha Bybee Burton and Everett Burton. She had two sisters Marjorie (Burton) Grother, and Loretta (Burton) Riddlebarger and two brothers Edward and Elroy. She had many Burton and Bybee cousins in Benton County and Hickory County who she visited as a child and as a grown up.

Lois attended first through eighth grade at nearby Quisenberry and Brown Schools. She was raised on what was known as the West Farm with neighbors such as the Haggards, the Thompsons, and the Rhoads. Lois graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in 1947. After graduation, she attended Sedalia Business School.

Lois met her future husband, Otis Thomas on a blind date. They were married in December 1948 at the First Christian Church located on Massachusetts in Sedalia. They began married life in Columbia while Otis completed his degree in Business at the University. With Otis going to school, Lois began working at Boone County Bank. After the birth of their first child, Marjorie, they returned to Sedalia to live on the West Farm. The growing family purchased a farm northwest of Hughesville. Lois began working at Union Savings Bank in Sedalia. A few years later, a set of twins, Martha and Marcia, joined the family. Mid 1950’s, the Thomas family moved to the farm north of Sedalia where son, Mark was born. The family was now complete with four children.

Lois was an active member of the Helen G. Steele Music Club, Sorosis, PEO, and Women’s Groups at First Christian. She was a 4-H leader for the Tanglenook 4-H Club and a member of Sunnyside Extension Club. She made longtime friends in the community with the childrens’ families who attended Sunnyside School. Lois sewed clothes, provided delicious meals, planted the garden, and canned vegetables. She enjoyed establishing perennial flowers in the yard and selecting trees for landscaping the yard (with the help of Otis). Her favorite place was her home and the yard. She would walk the yard to view the flowers, shrubs, and trees. Otis built an arbor for her that was southwest of the house. Family and group gatherings enjoyed the inviting shade and the cool air created by this wisteria sanctuary.

As a youngster growing up, she took piano lessons from a nearby neighbor which encouraged her love of music. Later as an adult, she took organ lessons. She soon became the organist at First Christian Church in Sedalia. With her new talent she began playing for weekly church services along with playing for many funerals and weddings. She was an active member of the Helen G. Steele Music Club, Sorosis, PEO, and Women’s Groups at First Christian. During this time, Lois was the Financial Secretary at First Christian Church for many years. Lois excelled at retirement with Otis she sang soprano in the church choir alongside Otis’s strong tenor voice, enjoyed golfing and playing bridge with family and friends. Otis and Lois traveled many parts of the United States with daughter Marjorie and son-in-law Jay Gutelius. Lois enjoyed keeping track of their destinations on the map. She would travel to visit the other children’s homes and families. Lois would attend school events of plays, sports, piano recitals, and musicals of all her children.

Grandma Lois welcomed the births and visits of four grandchildren: Paige, Sherman, Chet, and Margaret. Nana enjoyed the addition of three energetic great-granddaughters. Lois loved her siblings, their children, and her own family. She treasured her many friends over the years. She loved Sedalia and the surrounding countryside.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Helen G. Steele Music Club in care of the funeral home. Lois had a great love for music and this would bring her joy.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at Rea Funeral Chapel.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at Highland Sacred Gardens Cemetery, Sedalia.