Ella Rae Thomas
Ella Rae Thomas, 72, of Kountze, died Thursday, October 19, 2023. She was born on November 25, 1950, to Jacqueline Joyce Hughes Rawlinson and Howard Eugene Rawlinson, in Cleburne.
A beautiful and fun spirit, caring, creative, and strong. Never to succumb to peer pressure; she created it. Those who knew her will not forget her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, James David Thomas, the love of her life and father of their five children; and brothers, Joseph Pareya, Dwight Rawlinson, Gene Rawlinson, and Tommy Rawlinson.
Survivors include her children, Richard Thomas of Galveston; Lara Thomas of Baytown; Jason Thomas and his wife, Laura, of Channelview; James Thomas and his wife, Christine, of San Antonio; and Jacqueline Thomas of Austin; sister, Becky Wilder and her husband, Allen, of Kountze.
Other loving family members include, grandchildren, Ethan and Nikola Thomas; Mary Tucker; Jason Thomas; Brett and Arreal Henderson, and their son, Zachary; and Timothy and Norma Henderson, and their children, Tori, Terra, and Quintin; sister-in-laws, Nancy Barton and Judy Pareya; brother-in-law, Gene Barton; and daughter-in-law, Renee Hurt Thomas. Ella was blessed with many nieces, nephews, family, and friends who adored her.
Special thanks to Ella’s best friends, Kay and Steve Martinka, and their entire family, and Harbor Hospice for being gentle and caring to Ella and her family.
The world lost a true, honest, and loving person.
Mrs. Thomas’ cremation arrangements were handled through Broussard’s Crematorium under the direction of Broussard’s, 530 West Monroe, Kountze.
Committal
Broussard’s Crematorium
- 5150, Stivers Dr, Beaumont, TX, 77705,
Ella,No words to express my love for you…the sister I never had.you will be missed.
We love you..
Ella was a keeper and we shared many good times in our youth. She loved quilting and her work
Was beautiful and raised many dollars in the fight against cancer! Until we meet again rest in peace EllA! I love you and prayers for your family! !
I’m without words. I didn’t get enough time with my Aunt Ella. I’ll always remember the time I had. Even in that little time I learned that she was a force of nature. I feel cheated and I’ll miss her. I can’t imagine how the family is feeling now and I’m especially deeply sad for her sisters, my other aunts, and her children, my cousins. All of which I’m just getting to know. If there’s anything you all need or anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Pardon this expression, but God nor the Devil alone could’ve made her up Aunt Ella Rae. They must have worked as one together. So impressive that my youngest daughter’s name was inspired by the late but great Ella, we named her Stella Rae. I always saw my Aunt Ella as hyper performing over achiever, extremely ambitious, highly intelligent, and successful in every endeavor she explored. But what made her truly special was how cool and effortless she went about exhibiting those qualities. In my youth I saw a fierceness and drive to be the best and make sure everyone knew it, almost like a warning of sorts. She was frightening in a way. Then along came Jaimie and Jackie and it was if she hit a cruise control and all of us were invited aboard. Some of my fondess memories are of her intellectually jousting with others, mostly family members and all in good fun. It was if she was invited into battles of wit and her opponents were all unarmed. So funny, so charming. A few times in my life, finally grown, kids of my own, I was fortunate enough to spend some nights in her home and have one on one conversations with her that were very deep, and filled with perspectives that left me no doubt she had a wealth of experience and true wisdom about life, love, loss, attitude, wins, obstacles, and how to capitalize on setbacks. Some of her advise was so caring, offered with such love, free of any judgment, and so spot on I was certain she had been there in life as well. But it was her delivery that made her Aunt Ella Rae. So “matter of fact”. As for her talent and eye for beauty, all anyone need do is see one of her many quilts. I have six. One for each of my children. All origionals. And, everytime I look at one, I stand in awe. They are my greatest, most valued heirlooms. My descriptions of her to people I love who will never meet her have made her a legend to them and rightfully so. She is legendary and none of us will ever meet her equal. I love her, admire her, and I will miss her forever. Heaven will surely benefit with a lady as sharp and confident as she is. Losing her is sad but my sadness is minimal compared to my joy of knowing her and having an Aunt so fine and so very rare. She was a giant. May she rest in peace.
Ella came into my life when I met her brother, Joe. She was a preteen. I never would have imagined what great friends we would become. Always willing to help friends, family, or strangers.
She quilted for relaxation but raised thousands of dollars for The Rose to help fight breast cancer.
Words can’t express my love and admiration for Ella. Rest In Peace dear friend.
Ella was a dear friend of mine, and she will sorely missed, she had a heart bigger than Texas. Thoughtful, caring, kind, witty, and Inteligent she was a truly unique individual. My thoughts and prayers to her family.
there are no right words or expressions for the loss of Ella Rae..everyone she knew,she left an imprint.and there will be an empty space in my heart .Rest easy,Ella Rae then go and hug those who went before you.My thoughts and prayers for her family and friends..
I love Ella and I will miss her very much. She was a beautiful person inside and out. We made many memories as young cousins. God bless her family and give them peace knowing she is in a glorious place.🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🥹🥹😢😢😢
Family,
So sorry for your loss. I was Ella Rae’s first cousin, second removed….I’m the son of Larry Richardson (Ella’s first cousin).
Ella and Becky were able to come up to Waco for a family reunion at Linda Johnson’s house last year. It was great to see us all together. Ella had a thirst for knowledge and loved telling old tales about our family.
She will be missed.
Please stay in touch, and let us know if there is anything my family and I can do for y’all during this time.
Sincerely,
Bo Richardson
214-908-5845