Dorothy Thomas' Obituary
Mrs. Dorothy Elizabeth Baskins Thomas, age 102, of Memphis, died Saturday after a long life. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Harte Riddell Thomas, Sr. and her parents, Tom and Irene Baskins. She leaves a daughter, Elizabeth “Bette” Scott (Tom) and son, Harte R. Thomas Jr. (Patty), both of Memphis. She also leaves 5 grandchildren, Lynley Churchwell, Valerie Sowden (Scott), Harte Thomas, III (Marsha), Scott Thomas (Anne Bradley) and Patricia McCarter (Hudson), and 10 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Thomas was born May 3, 1916 in Waterloo, Iowa. She moved to Memphis in 1934 and attended Southwestern where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She met Harte on her first Sunday in Memphis at Central Christian Church. On the way home from church, Dorothy’s mother said “I know that Harte is going to call you.” In the evening, he did call, and Dorothy’s mother invited him over. She told Dorothy to change her clothes; the blonde boy was coming over. And from then on, it seemed a perfect match. They dated for two years, and married in 1937. Dorothy often remarked of how unselfish, kind, and loving Harte was. They were married for over 62 years before Harte’s death in 2000. Dorothy was deeply involved in everything in which she participated. She was president of the Women’s Christian Fellowship at Lindenwood and was a children’s Sunday school teacher for fifty-five years. One of her real joys in life was story telling with the Memphis Story Teller’s League. Dorothy was a lifelong choir member. In 1983 she was chosen the Tennessee Federation of Women’s Clubs’ Outstanding Club Woman of the Year. At the installation ceremony, the guest speakers were President and Mrs. George H. W. Bush who presented Dorothy with her award. Dorothy was quoted in an article as saying, “Like Harte, I have had a wonderful life. My home life was loving and giving. I had great parents. Our 62 1/2 years of married life were the most fulfilling part of my life. The Lord has been good to me and I hope in some measure I can bring others to Him! Next to my Lord and my church is my family and friends. God has been so good to me!” There will be a private service and burial. The family request that any memorials be sent to Lindenwood Christian Church Music Fund, The Bradley Dewitt Thomas fund at Idlewild Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.
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