Helen Louise Thomas

Helen Louise Thomas, a resident of Gulfport, died January 26, 2025, at home.

She was born in Sherman, MS, September 27, 1927. She had 2 younger brothers, Edward and Charles. Due to her mother’s illness, all of the children were placed in an orphanage run by Georgia Tann in Memphis, TN. Helen and Charles were adopted by Mr. and Mrs. McKinley Crain of Springfield, MO and Edward was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Brandenburg of Memphis, TN.

The Crain family farmed in MO and Ohio. Helen graduated from Springfield High School and later attended Akron University in Ohio. She marred Jack Thomas in 1962. She worked at Schott International in Akron until Jack retired from Goodyear. They moved back to Jack’s homeplace Ellijay, GA. There she worked for the Gilmer County Schools lunch program as a manager for 15 years. She retired to help care for her husband until his death in 2000. Later she moved to Gulfport, MS to live with her nephew and wife, Jim and Judy Thomas. She is survived by her brother, Charles Crain and his wife Sue.

Helen Thomas was best known as Aunt Helen to everyone. She was a spunky redhead that loved people and her animals. She was never able to have children, but she had a lot of nieces and nephews. They loved her just as much as she did them.

Helen was a member of Campground Baptist Church where they all knew her as Aunt Helen. She loved to cook and enjoyed the young at heart gatherings.

Thank you is not enough to say to all of the friends, family, neighbors, hairdresser, nail salon tech and doctor. She loved to visit with them all.

We all would like to thank the MS Homecare Team for the wonderful service of rehab given to Helen also, the loving care that she received from Gentiva Hospice that helped us all during her final months.

Due to the love of her dogs, in lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to Tired Dog Rescue. www.tireddogrescue.org

She may not be with us anymore, but her laugh and heart will always be there.

A visitation will be held from 9:30 am-10:00 am, Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, funeral service will begin at 10:00am, and an interment will take place at a later date in Georgia.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family.