Barbara Lou Thomas Obituary (1934 - 2019)

Barbara Thomas, beloved sister, mother, grandmother, and devoted great-grandmother, passed away peacefully Sunday night, October 20, 2019 at Mercy Hospital at the young age of 85. A visitation will be held Saturday at 11:00am-12:00pm at Peterson Funeral Home in Carlisle, Iowa. Funeral services will be held immediately following the visitation at 12:00pm. Interment will follow services at the Carlisle Township Cemetery. Barbara was born March 23, 1934, and resided in Carlisle, Iowa. Her family moved to California for a short time and then returned to Carlisle to live.She went to school at Carlisle Elementary. She quit school in 8th grade to go help her support her family. She worked as a mother's helper. She was married to Ellis Thomas on February 15, 1950. Together they had three children.She moved to New Mexico and lived there until 2008. She then came to Pleasant Hill, Iowa to stay with her daughter because of her health. Barbara was a loving, kind, vivacious God fearing woman. She always looked for the good in people. She always fought for the underdog. She also loved to travel and she really loved good food! She was witty and enjoyed a good laugh. She really loved her family, including her ornery nieces and nephews who loved to tease her. Barbara is survived by her children; Sherrie (Charles) Wallace, Kathy Middour, Tim(Michelle), siblings; Janean (Calan) Bishop Soroka, and Janet Bishop Fridlington, grandchildren; Patrick (Sasha) Middour, Brany(Kenney) Oxler, Jerry (Lyndsey) Rykel, Brandon Thomas, and Miranda Thomas, nieces and nephews; Alan (Tru) Soroka Jr., John(Jeri Lynn) Fridlington, James (Rhonda) Fridlington, Joseph (Michelle) Fridlington, Jason(Jennifer) Fridlington, and Jennifer Donaldson. Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Milton Bishop and Velma Nuck, siblings; Shirley Bishop, Milton(Buddy)Bishop Jr., and Sheryl Prather, brothers-in-law, James Fridlington and Robert Prather, nieces Linda Bishop and Ann Soroka, nephew William (Billy) Prather, and last but not least, Gracie, her beloved pet.