Ora Constance Thomas, formerly of Spearman Avenue, Farrell, went home to be with the Lord at 6:47 a.m. Monday (8/13/12) in Countryside Convalescent Home, E. Lackawannock Twp., PA. She was 84.

Ora was born April 30, 1928 in Mecklenburg County, La Crosse, VA the daughter of the late Mary Alice Baskerville and Ernest Meredith. She was educated in Virginia and relocated to Sharon, PA in 1952 with her then husband Jessie James Thomas.

A member of Bethlehem Baptist Church for more than 50 years, Mother Thomas was a member of the Church's missionary board, the kitchen missionary, the willing workers and a member and past president of the nurse's guild. She was well respected and loved for her volunteer work as a church nurse for funerals for many congregations throughout the Shenango Valley. She was always there for a shoulder to cry on. Mother Thomas was best known for her charitable endeavors and for raising money for Bethlehem Baptist Church for which she received numerous trophies for "Ms. Connie's Chicken and Ribs".

Mother Thomas was a graduate of Wilmar Beauty School and was a notable fixture of style when attending church on Sunday with her signature hats and shoes. A mother of eight children, she was an example to many young women raising a family in hard times. She believed you had to look to God for support and the end result would be success and respect from your children, your community and God. When you know better, you do better! "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"

Mother Thomas leaves to cherish her memory her companion of 55 years, Clair James Link, Farrell; three daughters, Theresa Sherman and her husband Butch, Philadelphia, Rose Phillips and her husband Talmage, Farrell and Tonja Brown, Sharon; four sons, Sir J. Thomas and his wife Deborah, Farrell, Gary James Thomas and his wife Evelyn, Sharon, and Richard and Michael Thomas, both Farrell; twenty-seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and three great great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Mattie Pearl Jones; two nephews, Haywood Lee Logan and James H. Jones and one niece, Olivia Jones, all of La Crosse, VA. She leaves behind a very loving church family.

In addition to her parents and her ex-husband, Jessie James Thomas, she is preceded in death by a daughter, Shirley Thomas Davis and a granddaughter, Tyrentni J. West.

Calling hours: The family will receive friends at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Sir J. and Deborah Thomas, 425 Lunn Blvd., Farrell, PA from Noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday (8/16/2012) and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday (8/17/2012) in Bethlehem Baptist Church, 858 Wallis Ave., Sharon, PA 16146.

Service: 11:00 a.m. Friday (8/17/2012) in the church with the Rev. Leon Avery, Jr., Pastor, officiating. Arrangements by the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon, PA 16146. Condolences may be sent by visiting our website at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Burial: Morefield Cemetery, Hermitage.