Martha Ross Thomas

Martha Ross Thomas, 91, long-time resident of Oakwood Drive, died Monday, January 5, 2009 at Life Care Center. A memorial service will be conducted Friday at 1:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Jim Hughes officiating. Family and friends will gather in the church atrium immediately following the service. Private family inurnment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 222 West 7th Street, Columbia 38401 or Maury County Public Library, 211 West 8th Street, Columbia 38401. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com. Born in Mayfield, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Robert L. Ross and Jessie Clark Ross. She was married May 26, 1937 to S. O. Thomas, Jr. who died September 13, 2002. For a number of years, she was in office administration for Union Carbide Corporation. Mrs. Thomas was active for many years in the affairs of First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, and was a member of Ayres-Whitney Sunday School Class. She was a member of Maury Regional Medical Center Auxiliary for many years and had attained "Super Star" status. An avid bridge player and reader, she was a member of the Mitsis Club and Maury County Democratic Women. Survivors include brothers-in-law, James E. Sippel of Huntsville, Alabama and Ralph Thomas, Sr. of Counce, Tennessee; niece, Everett Carlton Durham of Nashville; nephews, Robert C. Ross of Gainesville, Florida, Charles Ross of Hudson, Florida, James E. Sippel, Jr. of Winter Haven, Florida, L. Ross Sippel of Princeton, North Carolina, Donald Thomas of Baton Rogue, Louisiana, Edmond M. Thomas of Shreveport, Louisiana, Ralph Thomas, Jr. of Counce, Tennessee, and Frank D. Thomas of Cordova, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by a sister, Carolyn Ross Sippel and a brother, William Clark Ross. Honorary pallbearers include Dr. Paul Perryman and the Ayres-Whitney Sunday School Class.