Jennifer Cecilie Thomas

Jennifer Cecilie Thomas, 46, of Springfield, passed away on December 25, 2022, from a sudden illness, surrounded by family. Jennifer was born October 28, 1976, in Lafayette, Indiana, to Pamela Borden and Gary L. Thomas. While growing up in Springfield, Jennifer attended Delaware Elementary, Phelps School for the Gifted, and Jarrett Middle School. She was a 1995 graduate of Parkview High School, and attended the University of Missouri at Rolla working on her degree in Mathematics education. Jennifer completed her B.S. in Mathematics at Missouri State University in December 2000.
Jennifer worked at Springfield Lowe's during her college years through 2010. She joined Springfield Leather Company in 2010 as a retail salesperson and beading instructor. She continued to work at Springfield Leather until the time of her passing, serving as purchasing specialist. Jennifer also was a tutor/instructor at Sylvan Learning from 2000 until her death. Creating beautiful jewelry, ornaments and other adornments by intricate bead work was Jennifer's great passion. Jennifer also enjoyed teaching, whether it was beading classes or one of the many academic subjects at Sylvan. She was a member of the Queen City Bead Retreat (which she helped form with members of her beading classes), the Kansas City Bead Society and the Gamma Beta Sigma Sorority. Jennifer had a keen sense of humor and also immensely enjoyed reading, building her Lego collection, listening to all types of music, going out to the movies on a regular basis and spending good times with friends.
Jennifer was preceded in death by her father, her grandparents, and two uncles. She is survived by her mother, Pamela Borden Trewatha; step-father Robert Trewatha; step-sister Stacey Trewatha-Bach (Jim); step-brother Rob Trewatha (Cheryl); several aunts and uncles, Lali Borden Cahill (Tom), Seymour "Skip" Borden (Heidi), Steve Welch (Lisa) and cousins: Eric Borden (Lisa), Christine Balsame (Guy), Josh Borden (Lisa), Angela Welch Mobley (Scott), Brian Welch (Jill), Christopher Welch (Amber); in addition to many close friends and coworkers. Jennifer will be deeply missed by many.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 6, 2022, at Walnut Lawn Funeral Home, 2001 W. Walnut Lawn St., in Springfield.
Friends and family may donate to the American Heart Association or to a charity of their choice in lieu of flowers, if they choose.
Her care has been entrusted to Walnut Lawn Funeral Home, Ltd. DeGraffenreid-Wood Crematory.