Mary Ruth was born November 1, 1940, to Ophelia Miles Holton and Jesse Holton. She was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church. Mary Ruth has been married to Asa Thomas for 65 years. They have resided in Noxapater most of their life; where she was known to all as “Maw”. She enjoyed working in her flowers in her yard, and the annual stay of the hummingbirds. She loved to fish and instilled that love in most of her family. Her love for quilting shows in the homes of all the people she loved the most—there is no way to count the number of beautiful quilts she has made and given away. Her greatest joy was her family, especially the grandchildren, and the latest being the love she had for her great-grandchildren.
Mary Ruth is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Asa Thomas; and her five children: Jerry Thomas, Jim Thomas, Ginger (Larry) Phillipson, James “Chunky” (Sandra) Thomas, and T. J. (Melissa) Thomas all of Noxapater. One of her greatest joys was being “Maw” to her grandchildren: James Gully (Nadine Kirk), Sam (Kellie) Gully, Brady Thomas, Chase (Anna) Thomas; and her great-grandchildren: Jackson and Emmett Gully, Jack, Elena and Isaac Thomas, Gavin and Westyn Gully; Birdie and Olyn Thomas; and Corbin, Caroline, and Catie Kirk. She is also survived by her brother, Jesse Gene (Emily) Holton of Madison, Mississippi; and sister-in-law, Shirley Holton; in addition to numerous nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. Mary Ruth is preceded in death by her grandson, Michael Thomas; her parents; brother, James Berlin Holton; and sister, Freda Rhodes.
Serving as pallbearers are T. J. Thomas, James Gully, Sam Gully, Brady Thomas, Chase Thomas, and Robby Phillipson. Memorials in memory of Mary Ruth may be given to Oak Grove Baptist Church, 19 Asa Thomas Rd., Noxapater, MS 39346 or to Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children, Office of Development, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS 39216.
