Josephine L. Thomas

Josephine Thomas, 76, of Sedalia, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2024, in her home while surrounded by family. She had been fighting cancer for two years. 

Josephine was born on March 10, 1948, in Bourbon, Missouri, to Lydia Louise Bollinger and William Bollinger. She received her GED and continued her education through training for various jobs throughout her life. She valued work and never wanted to retire, working in diverse fields from cashiering to home health, but her primary vocation was serving as the matriarch of her family. She and Kenneth Thomas were blessed with three boys. 

Josephine is survived by two of her sons, Dave Thomas and wife Lori of Cole Camp and Randy Thomas of Sedalia; daughter-in-law Keri Thomas of Sedalia; younger sister and nephew, Willetta and Eric Smith of Lincoln; grandchildren Tristan (Haley), Dave (Megan), Lane (Kayla) of Cole Camp and Hannah and Faith of Sedalia; and two great-granddaughters, LaKota (Tristan and Haley) and Kaydance (Lane and Kayla). Tristan and Haley and Dave and Megan will bless her with two more great-granddaughters later this year. She is also survived by her companion, her beloved Miniature Yorkie Angel. She has been reunited in death with her oldest son Steve. 

Josephine was loved by all who knew her. She had a quick wit that kept people on their toes. She loved to laugh. She loved being a mom to her three boys, and she loved being a grandmother to their children. She was thrilled to become a great-grandmother last year. That love didn’t stop her from kicking her family’s butts at Rummy or knocking them upside the head when they needed it. She believed in hard work and perseverance in the face of anything, and she was an excellent example of what it means to live a life full of love. Her family hopes to carry that example forward. 

The family would like to thank the staff at Phoenix Home Care and Hospice for their compassionate care of Josephine. They enabled her to find comfort at home amongst her family in her final weeks. 

Services will be held on July 20, 2024, at Heckart Funeral Home in Sedalia, Missouri. The visitation will begin at 1 pm with funeral services to follow at 2. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery. Flowers and condolences can be sent through the funeral home’s website.