Willa Dean Johnson Thomas, 96, went to be with the Jesus on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at Greenbriar Nursing Center in D’Iberville, MS. She was born in Fulton, MS and was a long time resident of the Ryan’s Well Community until she moved to Gulfport, MS to live with her son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Mary Thomas.
Willa Dean loved being outdoors. She grew beautiful flowers and always had a garden. She was still weed-eating her yard at the age of 84. Willa Dean made beautiful crochet pieces and Christmas ornaments, name dollies and handmade quilts, plus working full-time at the garment factory. She was also a fabulous cook…best fried chicken in the land! She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Funeral services will be at 1 pm on Monday, January 29, 2024, at Senter Funeral Home with Bro J.E. Sims officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Vernon Cemetery. There will be no visitation prior to the funeral service.
Senter Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Willa Dean was preceded in death by her husband, Audie L. Thomas of Fulton; parents, Eli and Hester Johnson of Fulton; son, Timothy Thomas of Gulfport, MS; brother, Bob Johnson of Hernando, MS; and her nephew, Andy Johnson of Olive Branch, MS.
On Tim’s behalf, I, Mary Thomas, would like to thank all of the wonderful folks in the Fulton/Ryan’s Well community who loved and cared for her over many years after the death of her husband, Audie. There are too many of you to name but you know who I’m talking about. Ya’ll made her life special in every way and she loved you all so much.
We would also like to express special appreciation to her caregiver, Janet Caldwell for assisting Tim and me with her care and loving her as if she were her own family during the three and half years in our home in Gulfport. We would also like to thank the staff of Greenbriar Nursing Center and Saad’s Hospice in D’iberville, Ms, and Encompass Health Care for their exceptional care and concern for her during the last years of her life. I will be forever grateful to all of you.
In Lieu of flowers, please contribute to your church or favorite charity in her honor.
