Viva Mae Thomas

Longtime Refugio County resident and teacher, Viva Mae Thomas, passed away December 30, 2005. Viva Mae, or "Pud", as she was known to her loving family, was born on the Rooke Ranch on November 24, 1916 to Jackson Mabry Thomas and Viva Borden Thomas. She attended public school in Woodsboro and upon graduation, entered Southwest Texas in San Marcos where she received a bachelor's degree. She would later earn a master's degree from Sui Ross University. She began her career as an educator in 1938 in Refugio, Texas where she taught second, fifth and eighth grades before becoming a sixth grade teacher for the balance of her 43 years in the Refugio Independent School District. Although Viva Mae's devotion to her family and her church was great, it was her commitment in the classroom that made her so unique. Her love of her students and they for her was special. Up until her death, former students would often remind her of some kindness she had bestowed that had made a difference in their lives.She was preceded in death by her beloved parents; three brothers, J.M. Thomas Jr., Jack K. Thomas and Norman Milton Thomas; two sisters, Lolette Thomas Null and Frankie Thomas Griffith; two brother-in-laws R.E. "Griff" Griffith and M.L. "Bud" Null and one niece, Deborah Null Thibodeaux.Viva Mae is survived by one brother and sister-in-law Hugh and Pill Thomas of Woodsboro; sister-in-law Margaret Thomas of Aransas Pass; nieces Sandra Griffith Pullin, Jackie Thomas Speight, Patricia Griffith, Vickie Thomas, Rebecca Null Allen, Nancy Nuilives, Gigi Thomas Schmidt, Mary Thomas LeBourgeois, Susie Thomas Conley and Betty Thomas Wahrenberger; nephews Hugh Mabry Thomas, Robert Lynn Thomas and Thomas Ashley Null. She is also survived by 22 great nieces and nephews and nine great-grand nieces and nephews.Funeral services will be Sunday, January 1, 2006 at the First Baptist Church of Woodsboro, with Dr. Jimmy C. Arnold officiating.Interment will be at LaRosa Cemetery, Woodsboro.Pallbearers will be Allen Pullin, Gregg Pullin, Mabry Thomas, Robbie Thomas, Thomas Null and Brandon Thomas.Memorial may be made to First Baptist Church Woodsboro, Hospice of South Texas or favorite charity.