Delores Virginia Thomas

Delores "Virginia" Thomas, age 93 went to be with our Lord on Monday, November 3, 2025. She passed away peacefully at her home after a brief illness. Virginia was born in Fayetteville Arkansas on October 23, 1932 to Willis R. "Bill" Thomas and Grace V. Thomas. The Thomas' moved to Springfield in 1938 when Virginia was six years old.
Virginia attended Doling, Reed and Springfield High School (Central). She was the class of '49. She attended SMS and graduated in 1953. Virginia attended several other universities to further her education in the Spanish language: University of Wisconsin – Madison, University of Guanajuato, Mexico, Instituto Caro y Cuero in Cartegena Columbia, University of the Andes in Bogota Columbia and the University of San Francisco. In all her education endeavors she was able to complete a triple major: Spanish, English and Education.
After graduation, Virginia taught English and Spanish at Cassville, Missouri (1953-'55). She went on to teach at Auburn, Illinois (1955-'56) and Crystal City Missouri (1957-'58). She wound up her education career teaching Spanish and English at Hillcrest High School and also was the school librarian (1958-'84). Throughout the years, Virginia stayed in contact with countless numbers of her students she had impact on during their high school days. At her 90th birthday, Springfield Public Schools issued a Proclamation for her 26 years at Hillcrest.
Virginia was a member of Central Christian Church in Springfield, Missouri. A visitation for Virginia will be at 9am on Friday, November 7, 2025 at Greenlawn North. The service will be held at 10am on Friday, November 7, 2025. Following the service, Virginia will be laid to rest in Greenlawn Cemetery next to her parents. Rev. Geoff Weinman will be officiating.