Gaye Frances Miller Thomas

1954 - 2021

Gaye Frances Miller Thomas

After a brief illness, Gaye Frances Miller Thomas , passed into her heavenly home on December 29, 2021, while at home, surrounded by her family and loved ones.

Gaye Miller Thomas was born March 13, 1954, to Weldon H. Miller and Peggy Knight Miller in Alexandria, Virginia , where her father was stationed during the Korean Conflict. The family then later moved to Arlington, Texas. During Gaye's senior year in high school, the family relocated to Denton, Texas, her parents' hometown. Gaye graduated from Denton High School in 1972 and in 1977, she graduated from Texas Women's University's School of Nursing. She was very proud to be a Registered Nurse. On December 31, 1977 she married Gary Thomas of Denton and they welcomed their daughter, Amy Michele into the family on June 19, 1981. Gaye worked for Safeway Stores while attending TWU. After a brief time of working in the Pediatric ward of Parkland Hospital, Gaye returned to Safeway where she worked part-time while raising her family. She and Gary started and operated several businesses in Denton, including Frank'N'Stein's , Garibaldi's Italian Restaurant , and Genrel Korn's Popcorn Store.

After these adventures, Gaye worked as social worker for the State of Texas in the local Medicaid Eligibility Office. After many years of service, she retired from there in 2009 . Gaye loved to work in her garden and spent many long hours tending to her plants and making sure "her birds" had plenty to eat. Her wind chimes will be a special reminder of her presence. In addition to gardening, Gaye was an avid reader and was a member of "The Denton Bookies' Book Club". Since hospice was a cause close to her heart, she volunteered locally with Ann's Haven Hospice/VNA and served as a membership chairman for their auxiliary. Gary and Gaye worked together as volunteer chefs for the Lasagna Love Organization. Gaye also enjoyed participating in the many interests she shared with her husband, Gary and was a member of "The Denton Road Crew" motorcycle group, "Lone Star Corvette Club", "North Texas Corvettes for Fun", and the" North Texas Corvette Club".

Over the last few years, Gaye and Gary also enjoyed traveling around the country in their RV, which she lovingly referred to as "The Bus". She was a member of "Texas Boomers RV Club" and the "South Central Chapter of the American Coach Owners Club". Just prior to her illness Gaye and Gary had taken an extended RV trip which included going to visit "Her Transplant Parents". In 2001, Gaye had become a double organ transplant recipient of a kidney and pancreas. She was very fortunate to get to meet and know her donor's parents and family. She and Gary have visited with them often over the past 20 years and Gaye often referred to that time as "bonus years".

Gaye was preceded in death by her mother. She is survived by her father Weldon Miller and his wife Peggy of Krum, husband Gary Thomas of Denton, daughter Amy Love and her husband Matthew Varner of Frisco, sister Donna Miller of Austin, her very best friend Beth Whipple and a host of other close friends.

The family would like to thank the ICU and Sixth Floor Nursing Staff of Medical City-Denton as well as Dr. Rojas, Dr. Cruz, Dr. Rios, and the other wonderful Doctors who took care of her during her illness. Also, a very special thanks goes to the Hospice Nurses of Ann's Hospice VNA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Ann's Haven Hospice VNA.

Services for Gaye will take place at the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. A livestream to the service will be provided through the following link: https://www.standrewdenton.com/memorial-service/