On February 9, 2017 Ella Venita Thomas, surrounded by family took her last breath on Earth and her first breath in Heaven.
Venita was preceded in death by her husbands Lester Ray Lantz in 1964 and Lloyd Seth Thomas in 1984.
She was born March 8, 1920 in Mauni, Illinois to Joseph and Nora Attebury.
There were three brothers which preceded in her in death Earnest, John and Gerald Attebury.
Venita had two children, Larry Armstrong and wife Gail of Fort Smith, Donna Anderson and husband Bill of Muldrow, Oklahoma. She had four step children, Graydon Lantz and wife Mel of Elk City, OK, Patricia Herndon of Sherman, Texas, Gene Lantz and wife Elaine of Dallas, Texas and Sue Hendren who is deceased. There are five grandchildren. Dr. Ed Armstrong and wife Julie of Oklahoma City, OK, Leslie Quick and husband Danny of Oklahoma City, OK, Angela Cosby and husband Darin of Edmond, OK, Cindy Scarcelli and husband Brett of Ft Knox, KY and Christi Anderson of Fort Smith. Venita was blessed with 16 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren, many step grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Venita was born into poverty in a little town, on the Wabash River, Mauni, Illinois. She was the only girl and the youngest child. Many times all she had to eat was what the boys could hunt. When she was around 10 years old, she began to babysit and clean house for the local Dr. As the depression years lingered on, she moved to Carmi, llinoisl and began working in a restaurant which she eventually purchased. She married and as was the case in so many homes during that time, her husband left to find work and never returned. Finding herself with a young son to support and WW2 raging, she began work on LST ships on the Ohio River. She would let you know right quick that she was not a riveter but a welder. You were required to pass 4 welding tests which she did on the first try. At the end of the war, she purchased the restaurant. It was there that she met and married the love of her life Lester Lantz. Lester had four children whom she loved dearly. After following the oilfields for several years, they moved to a small town in Arkansas, Booneville. They purchased a 53 acre farm. They also purchased a restaurant. They ran a dairy business, restaurant, farmed, raised a huge garden, and Lester worked in the local oilfields. There was a brief return to Illinois for the birth of their daughter with the Dr. that she trusted. Lester passed away suddenly in 1964 and she once again found herself with a young child to raise. In 1967, she married a long-time friend Lloyd Thomas. She was widowed once again in 1982. Venita lived in Healdton, OK where her son and daughter also lived. She attended First Baptist Church. She cooked many hours in that church kitchen for various events and also went to Falls Creek as a cook. Later as her family moved to Fort Smith, she did too. She attended Oak Cliff Baptist Church for many years and has many friends there still today. She always longed for the return to country life. So, Bill and Donna bought a home in the Muldrow, OK area with a few acres. She moved into the guest house and made it her own. She loved to garden. She would instruct Bill exactly how to plant and harvest and Donna how to can and freeze. She loved to fish so Bill had a pond built and stocked it for her. Many summer days were spent with a grandchild catching catfish in the pond. She talked about chickens and fresh eggs so a pen was built and chickens were purchased. The very last thing she ate was one of those eggs. Venita attended First Baptist Church Muldrow, OK. She was a member of the Challengers Sunday School Class and loved every one of those ladies as they did her. Venita loved and cared for her children and grandchildren. Nothing made her happier than to have a houseful of them and her frying chicken and making biscuits for all of them. The most important thing of all to her was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She led many people to Jesus including 2 husbands. She is the reason for the strong faith of many of her children and grandchildren. To those who don’t have Jesus as your Savior, she would quote John 3:16, tell you that Jesus loves you enough to die for you, and tell you to ask him into your heart before it’s too late. A proverbs 31 woman and a good and faithful servant.
Services are under the direction of Lewis-Roberts Funeral Chapel 4817 Kelley Hwy Fort Smith, Arkansas. Services will be Wednesday, February 15, 2017 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Muldrow, OK with Interment to follow at 3:30 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Booneville, Arkansas.
Venita was preceded in death by her husbands Lester Ray Lantz in 1964 and Lloyd Seth Thomas in 1984.
She was born March 8, 1920 in Mauni, Illinois to Joseph and Nora Attebury.
There were three brothers which preceded in her in death Earnest, John and Gerald Attebury.
Venita had two children, Larry Armstrong and wife Gail of Fort Smith, Donna Anderson and husband Bill of Muldrow, Oklahoma. She had four step children, Graydon Lantz and wife Mel of Elk City, OK, Patricia Herndon of Sherman, Texas, Gene Lantz and wife Elaine of Dallas, Texas and Sue Hendren who is deceased. There are five grandchildren. Dr. Ed Armstrong and wife Julie of Oklahoma City, OK, Leslie Quick and husband Danny of Oklahoma City, OK, Angela Cosby and husband Darin of Edmond, OK, Cindy Scarcelli and husband Brett of Ft Knox, KY and Christi Anderson of Fort Smith. Venita was blessed with 16 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren, many step grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Venita was born into poverty in a little town, on the Wabash River, Mauni, Illinois. She was the only girl and the youngest child. Many times all she had to eat was what the boys could hunt. When she was around 10 years old, she began to babysit and clean house for the local Dr. As the depression years lingered on, she moved to Carmi, llinoisl and began working in a restaurant which she eventually purchased. She married and as was the case in so many homes during that time, her husband left to find work and never returned. Finding herself with a young son to support and WW2 raging, she began work on LST ships on the Ohio River. She would let you know right quick that she was not a riveter but a welder. You were required to pass 4 welding tests which she did on the first try. At the end of the war, she purchased the restaurant. It was there that she met and married the love of her life Lester Lantz. Lester had four children whom she loved dearly. After following the oilfields for several years, they moved to a small town in Arkansas, Booneville. They purchased a 53 acre farm. They also purchased a restaurant. They ran a dairy business, restaurant, farmed, raised a huge garden, and Lester worked in the local oilfields. There was a brief return to Illinois for the birth of their daughter with the Dr. that she trusted. Lester passed away suddenly in 1964 and she once again found herself with a young child to raise. In 1967, she married a long-time friend Lloyd Thomas. She was widowed once again in 1982. Venita lived in Healdton, OK where her son and daughter also lived. She attended First Baptist Church. She cooked many hours in that church kitchen for various events and also went to Falls Creek as a cook. Later as her family moved to Fort Smith, she did too. She attended Oak Cliff Baptist Church for many years and has many friends there still today. She always longed for the return to country life. So, Bill and Donna bought a home in the Muldrow, OK area with a few acres. She moved into the guest house and made it her own. She loved to garden. She would instruct Bill exactly how to plant and harvest and Donna how to can and freeze. She loved to fish so Bill had a pond built and stocked it for her. Many summer days were spent with a grandchild catching catfish in the pond. She talked about chickens and fresh eggs so a pen was built and chickens were purchased. The very last thing she ate was one of those eggs. Venita attended First Baptist Church Muldrow, OK. She was a member of the Challengers Sunday School Class and loved every one of those ladies as they did her. Venita loved and cared for her children and grandchildren. Nothing made her happier than to have a houseful of them and her frying chicken and making biscuits for all of them. The most important thing of all to her was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She led many people to Jesus including 2 husbands. She is the reason for the strong faith of many of her children and grandchildren. To those who don’t have Jesus as your Savior, she would quote John 3:16, tell you that Jesus loves you enough to die for you, and tell you to ask him into your heart before it’s too late. A proverbs 31 woman and a good and faithful servant.
Services are under the direction of Lewis-Roberts Funeral Chapel 4817 Kelley Hwy Fort Smith, Arkansas. Services will be Wednesday, February 15, 2017 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Muldrow, OK with Interment to follow at 3:30 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Booneville, Arkansas.
On February 9, 2017 Ella Venita Thomas, surrounded by family took her last breath on Earth and her first breath in Heaven.
Venita was preceded in death by her husbands Lester Ray Lantz in 1964 and Lloyd Seth Thomas in 1984.
She was born March 8, 1920 in Mauni, Illinois to Joseph and Nora Attebury.
There were three brothers which preceded in her in death Earnest, John and Gerald Attebury.
Venita had two children, Larry Armstrong and wife Gail of Fort Smith, Donna Anderson and husband Bill of Muldrow, Oklahoma. She had four step children, Graydon Lantz and wife Mel of Elk City, OK, Patricia Herndon of Sherman, Texas, Gene Lantz and wife Elaine of Dallas, Texas and Sue Hendren who is deceased. There are five grandchildren. Dr. Ed Armstrong and wife Julie of Oklahoma City, OK, Leslie Quick and husband Danny of Oklahoma City, OK, Angela Cosby and husband Darin of Edmond, OK, Cindy Scarcelli and husband Brett of Ft Knox, KY and Christi Anderson of Fort Smith. Venita was blessed with 16 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren, many step grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Venita was born into poverty in a little town, on the Wabash River, Mauni, Illinois. She was the only girl and the youngest child. Many times all she had to eat was what the boys could hunt. When she was around 10 years old, she began to babysit and clean house for the local Dr. As the depression years lingered on, she moved to Carmi, llinoisl and began working in a restaurant which she eventually purchased. She married and as was the case in so many homes during that time, her husband left to find work and never returned. Finding herself with a young son to support and WW2 raging, she began work on LST ships on the Ohio River. She would let you know right quick that she was not a riveter but a welder. You were required to pass 4 welding tests which she did on the first try. At the end of the war, she purchased the restaurant. It was there that she met and married the love of her life Lester Lantz. Lester had four children whom she loved dearly. After following the oilfields for several years, they moved to a small town in Arkansas, Booneville. They purchased a 53 acre farm. They also purchased a restaurant. They ran a dairy business, restaurant, farmed, raised a huge garden, and Lester worked in the local oilfields. There was a brief return to Illinois for the birth of their daughter with the Dr. that she trusted. Lester passed away suddenly in 1964 and she once again found herself with a young child to raise. In 1967, she married a long-time friend Lloyd Thomas. She was widowed once again in 1982. Venita lived in Healdton, OK where her son and daughter also lived. She attended First Baptist Church. She cooked many hours in that church kitchen for various events and also went to Falls Creek as a cook. Later as her family moved to Fort Smith, she did too. She attended Oak Cliff Baptist Church for many years and has many friends there still today. She always longed for the return to country life. So, Bill and Donna bought a home in the Muldrow, OK area with a few acres. She moved into the guest house and made it her own. She loved to garden. She would instruct Bill exactly how to plant and harvest and Donna how to can and freeze. She loved to fish so Bill had a pond built and stocked it for her. Many summer days were spent with a grandchild catching catfish in the pond. She talked about chickens and fresh eggs so a pen was built and chickens were purchased. The very last thing she ate was one of those eggs. Venita attended First Baptist Church Muldrow, OK. She was a member of the Challengers Sunday School Class and loved every one of those ladies as they did her. Venita loved and cared for her children and grandchildren. Nothing made her happier than to have a houseful of them and her frying chicken and making biscuits for all of them. The most important thing of all to her was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She led many people to Jesus including 2 husbands. She is the reason for the strong faith of many of her children and grandchildren. To those who don’t have Jesus as your Savior, she would quote John 3:16, tell you that Jesus loves you enough to die for you, and tell you to ask him into your heart before it’s too late. A proverbs 31 woman and a good and faithful servant.
Services are under the direction of Lewis-Roberts Funeral Chapel 4817 Kelley Hwy Fort Smith, Arkansas. Services will be Wednesday, February 15, 2017 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Muldrow, OK with Interment to follow at 3:30 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Booneville, Arkansas.
Venita was preceded in death by her husbands Lester Ray Lantz in 1964 and Lloyd Seth Thomas in 1984.
She was born March 8, 1920 in Mauni, Illinois to Joseph and Nora Attebury.
There were three brothers which preceded in her in death Earnest, John and Gerald Attebury.
Venita had two children, Larry Armstrong and wife Gail of Fort Smith, Donna Anderson and husband Bill of Muldrow, Oklahoma. She had four step children, Graydon Lantz and wife Mel of Elk City, OK, Patricia Herndon of Sherman, Texas, Gene Lantz and wife Elaine of Dallas, Texas and Sue Hendren who is deceased. There are five grandchildren. Dr. Ed Armstrong and wife Julie of Oklahoma City, OK, Leslie Quick and husband Danny of Oklahoma City, OK, Angela Cosby and husband Darin of Edmond, OK, Cindy Scarcelli and husband Brett of Ft Knox, KY and Christi Anderson of Fort Smith. Venita was blessed with 16 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren, many step grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Venita was born into poverty in a little town, on the Wabash River, Mauni, Illinois. She was the only girl and the youngest child. Many times all she had to eat was what the boys could hunt. When she was around 10 years old, she began to babysit and clean house for the local Dr. As the depression years lingered on, she moved to Carmi, llinoisl and began working in a restaurant which she eventually purchased. She married and as was the case in so many homes during that time, her husband left to find work and never returned. Finding herself with a young son to support and WW2 raging, she began work on LST ships on the Ohio River. She would let you know right quick that she was not a riveter but a welder. You were required to pass 4 welding tests which she did on the first try. At the end of the war, she purchased the restaurant. It was there that she met and married the love of her life Lester Lantz. Lester had four children whom she loved dearly. After following the oilfields for several years, they moved to a small town in Arkansas, Booneville. They purchased a 53 acre farm. They also purchased a restaurant. They ran a dairy business, restaurant, farmed, raised a huge garden, and Lester worked in the local oilfields. There was a brief return to Illinois for the birth of their daughter with the Dr. that she trusted. Lester passed away suddenly in 1964 and she once again found herself with a young child to raise. In 1967, she married a long-time friend Lloyd Thomas. She was widowed once again in 1982. Venita lived in Healdton, OK where her son and daughter also lived. She attended First Baptist Church. She cooked many hours in that church kitchen for various events and also went to Falls Creek as a cook. Later as her family moved to Fort Smith, she did too. She attended Oak Cliff Baptist Church for many years and has many friends there still today. She always longed for the return to country life. So, Bill and Donna bought a home in the Muldrow, OK area with a few acres. She moved into the guest house and made it her own. She loved to garden. She would instruct Bill exactly how to plant and harvest and Donna how to can and freeze. She loved to fish so Bill had a pond built and stocked it for her. Many summer days were spent with a grandchild catching catfish in the pond. She talked about chickens and fresh eggs so a pen was built and chickens were purchased. The very last thing she ate was one of those eggs. Venita attended First Baptist Church Muldrow, OK. She was a member of the Challengers Sunday School Class and loved every one of those ladies as they did her. Venita loved and cared for her children and grandchildren. Nothing made her happier than to have a houseful of them and her frying chicken and making biscuits for all of them. The most important thing of all to her was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She led many people to Jesus including 2 husbands. She is the reason for the strong faith of many of her children and grandchildren. To those who don’t have Jesus as your Savior, she would quote John 3:16, tell you that Jesus loves you enough to die for you, and tell you to ask him into your heart before it’s too late. A proverbs 31 woman and a good and faithful servant.
Services are under the direction of Lewis-Roberts Funeral Chapel 4817 Kelley Hwy Fort Smith, Arkansas. Services will be Wednesday, February 15, 2017 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Muldrow, OK with Interment to follow at 3:30 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Booneville, Arkansas.
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