THOMAS, Nelda

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 08/21/2015 Nelda Rencher Thomas, 86, of Taylor died Friday, Aug. 14, 2015, in Snowflake. She was born Oct. 11, 1928, to Benjamin Jay Rencher and Minnie Hansen Rencher, the fourth of 10 children. Nelda graduated from Snowflake High School and went on to attend Arizona State University for two years. She married B.K. Thomas Jan. 27, 1956, in the Mesa Temple. Their union was blessed with four children. Nelda worked as a bookkeeper/accountant. She retired from the paper mill after 20 years of employment. She also helped with the family ranch. She loved working and would not stop until the job was finished. Nelda loved her Savior. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved her church family who supported her after her husband’s death in 1985. She held many callings and enjoyed serving. Besides her Savior, the biggest love of her life was her family. She is survived by her four children, Howard Thomas, Kathryn (Don) Dennee, Paula (Jerald) Whipple and Milo (Cody) Thomas, 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, B.K. Thomas; sisters Eula Koury and Tanny Hensley; brothers Jay Rencher and Alvin Rencher; and son-in-law Loran Woodside. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at Centennial Chapel in Taylor, with a family visitation at 9 a.m. Silver Creek Mortuary of Taylor handled arrangements.