Loretta Thomas

Loretta Faye Thomas, age 78, of Miller, Missouri, passed away on January 5, 2026, at Mt. Vernon Manor in Mt. Vernon, Missouri. She was born April 4, 1947, in Golden City, Missouri, the daughter of Frank Rolla and Neata May (Gulick) Pyle.

Loretta was a 1965 graduate of Miller High School and married Lynn Thomas on May 17, 1965, in Red Oak, Missouri. He preceded her in death on December 22, 2016. She continued her education at Springfield Beauty Academy; upon graduation she opened her own salon at their home. After the children started school she worked for the Miller R-2 School system as the cook at West Elementary. Loretta later ran the Department of Motor Vehicles in Mt. Vernon, Missouri. She also served several years as a board member for Miller R-2 Schools and served on the State of Missouri School Board as a director. Loretta was very active with community service including, Lawrence County Democrats, Young Farmers and Young Farm Wives, Red Oak Special Road district board member, and volunteered for numerous school and community events. She gave her life to God at a very early age.

Loretta is survived by her son, Willie Thomas and his wife, Kim; one daughter, Lorie Garner and Bill Zobel; three grandchildren, Denton and his wife, Kayla, Savannah Mueller and her husband, Nathan and Russell Garner; two great grandchildren, Tucker and Lukas Thomas; awaiting great grandchild number three, baby girl Mueller in February; one sister, Erma Thomas; three sisters-in-law, Frankie Pyle, Lela Pyle and Tana Pyle and several nieces and nephews.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Neata; husband Lynn; five sisters, Fern Wright, Margaret Uber, Eula Mae Thomas, Lorene Glidewell and Ruth Platt and five brothers, Earl, Harley, Paul, Ancil, and Howard Pyle.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 17, 2026, directly followed by the Celebration of Life service at the First Christian Church, Mt. Vernon, Mo.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Gray's Point Memorial Cemetery, P.O. Box 53, Miller, Mo.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services of Springfield, MO.