Mrs. Ivor Jean Thomas, age 83, went to be with her Lord and Savior Monday, January 17, 2022 surrounded by her family at her beloved home in Noxapater, MS. Prior to her passing, reverent titles were deemed worthy of the matriarch of our family: Wife, Mamma, Mamma Jean, Maw Maw, Grannie Jean, sister, aunt, bookkeeper, and business owner. However, those names do not adequately measure nor do they describe Jean Thomas. Jean, along with her beloved husband Devon, epitomized a true leader servant of her Savior, community, and family.
As a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Jean had the honor to serve her Lord and Savior as a Sunday School Teacher and secretary for the past 60 years. As a high school graduate of the 1957 class of Noxapater High School, Ivor Jean furthered her education at Vanderbilt University where she studied accounting and bookkeeping. Nashville was a home to the newlyweds for four years. Her affinity for Nashville and love for Country Music allowed them to have wonderful adventures, meeting noted Country Music Legends and regularly attending the famous Ryman Auditorium for the Grand Old Opry . In addition to attending Vanderbilt while in Nashville, Jean worked for a prominent department store where she was able to help with bookkeeping and administrative tasks. When the couple moved back home to Noxapater, that is where she would be for the next 60+ years. For 42 years, Devon and she owned and operated Stallo Woodyard. In addition to helping Devon run the family business, she was a dedicated mother to three of the finest men: Randy, Doug and Chris.
Hard work was a constant for Jean, but her hobbies were not few. First and foremost, she was a mother of boys. Many times sports would not allow Jean to just be a spectator. You could ride by their house, and Jean would have a band of young men that she would be playing basketball, football or any other sport currently being played. She was a mother to many men who called her Mamma Jean. She adored each one fiercely. In addition, her deep passion also rested with her beloved Ole Miss Rebels. Any given Saturday, you could drop by while the Rebels played, but you would be required to cheer for the Rebels or endure the wrath of Jean as she regaled how much better of a foe her Rebels were than their counterpart. Jean was a constant at Ole Miss games where she sat in the same seats for decades, cheering and laughing, while the Rebels played. She witnessed the era of Johnny Vaught, Steve Sloan, Billy Brewer, Joe Lee Dunn, and a host of others. Football was a sport she loved to watch, but the action for Jean always landed on the basketball court where she played and was very successful in high school. As a player herself, she beamed with pride when she watched her children and grandchildren excel in sports. Devon and she attended each game possible and were their loudest fans. Even though her sons attended Ole Miss, she tried valiantly to get her grandchildren to attend her beloved Ole Miss, but alas, all of their degrees dictated that they were to attend the rival - Mississippi State. Within the past 15 years of watching her grandchildren ring cowbells, and some still wave an occasional Ole Miss pompom, she never wavered from her support for the Rebels. Though her heart softened with age and she often called the players for Mississippi State her boys and girls (if they were not playing against Ole Miss), she would still make it clear that Ole Miss was still football King in her house. Other hobbies included enjoying square dancing competitions as well as clogging and gardening. She also loved to quilt, and made some of the finest hand sewn creations that are passed to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Possibly, above everything else, Jean loved to fish. It is with certainty that she is currently scouting for a prime Red Belly hole in Heaven right now.
Ivor Jean Maxey was born to the late Hubert Bryant and Bessie Lee Creekmore Maxey in Noxapater, MS on November 2, 1938 and was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Devon Thomas, and two brothers: Robert Maxey (Debbie), and Danny Maxey (Lanorta). H.B. Maxey (Barbara) and Joan Nance will miss their younger sister. Seldom does a woman meet her soulmate early in life, but for Jean, Devon Thomas was just that for 62 years. Their union produced three sons: Randy (Tammy), Doug (Tammy) and Chris (Lisa). Those sons blessed Devon and Jean their greatest treasures – their grandchildren – Tiffany (Adam), Jake, Bradley (Shelby), Cassie (Tyler), Zack, Daniel, Harley (Colby), one great granddaughter – Joy and two great grandsons – Beau and awaiting our precious Devin. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews.
How prophetic that the Bible lesson title for Jean’s daily reading the day of meeting her Lord and Savior was: You will never walk alone!
Tell everyone we miss them and will see them by and by; your family will always love you.
Visitation will be held Thursday, January 20, 2022 4 – 7 pm at Oak Grove Baptist Church. Services will be held Friday, at 11 am at Oak Grove Baptist Church, with Bro. Gary Caudill and Bro. Wesley Landrum officiating. Burial will proceed immediately after in the Oak Grove Baptist Church cemetery. Porter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Pallbearers will be Jacob Thomas, Bradley Thomas, Zack Thomas, Daniel Thomas, Adam Byrd and Tyler Wells. Honorary pallbearers will be Tiffany Byrd, Cassie Wells, Harley Thomas, Shelby Thomas and Colby Etheridge.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Oak Grove Cemetery Fund, 19 Asa Thomas Road, Noxapater, MS, 39346..
