Phyllis Thomas

1929 - 2026

Jun 22, 1929 - Feb 1, 2026

Phyllis June (Witchey) Thomas, a steadfast presence in the Beallsville community, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, at the age of 96.

Born on June 22, 1929, in Canton, Ohio, to the late Thomas Frank and Grace (Myers) Witchey, Phyllis lived a life defined by resilience, faith, and a legendary "can-do" attitude.

On Dec. 6, 1947, Phyllis married Billy Lynn Thomas. Together they built a life in Beallsville until his passing on July 19, 1989. For 25 years, Phyllis was a familiar face to generations of local children as a school bus driver for the Switzerland of Ohio School District - a job that suited her fearless nature and love for her community.

Phyllis was a woman who didn't just endure Ohio winters; she embraced them. Her children fondly remember snow days filled with sled riding, jigsaw puzzles, and marathon board games. She was a woman of many talents - an avid reader, a quilter, a crocheter, and a devoted member of the Beallsville Church of Christ, where her voice rose in song for many years.

Nowhere was her "instinct" more evident than in the kitchen. A natural cook and baker, Phyllis delighted in feeding others. When her children asked for her secrets to a favorite dish, she would simply tell them to "stir it until it looks right" or "add water until it feels right." Though her children joked they hadn't quite inherited her "cooking gene" to know exactly what that "right" look was, they never missed the love she poured into every meal.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Billy; her granddaughter, Amy Starr; her grandson, Mark Bilyeu; her great-grandson, James Easley II; and her brother, Jack Witchey.

Her quick wit and pleasant disposition will be deeply missed by her six children: Susan (Bryan) Beisel, Cynthia (Skip) Pedigo, Billy (Shelly) Thomas, Joy (Jim) Yontz, Jana Barnhouse, and Timothy Thomas. She also leaves behind a legacy of 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren who will forever cherish her memory.

Visitation will be held Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Beallsville Church of Christ, 52125 Township Road 134, Beallsville, where funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at 11 a.m. with Colin Morrison offering words of comfort. Private interment will be held in the Beallsville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers and keepsakes, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Beallsville Church of Christ, 52125 Township Road, Beallsville, Ohio 43716.