Kathleen Thomas
Kathleen Gentry Thomas, also known as Mama, Kat and Maw, on December 15, 2023, at Neshoba County Nursing Home in Philadelphia, Mississippi, at the age of 80, passed into eternity. Kathleen was born on November 29, 1943, in Philadelphia and raised in Neshoba County.
Kathleen’s parents were James OD Gentry and Virilla Ganey Gentry, both of Philadelphia. She graduated from Neshoba Central High School (Longino) in 1961. She then married the love of her life, Garvis Thomas, also in 1961, and they resided in Madden, MS for the remainder of their lives.
Kathleen was baptized and attended Madden Baptist Church until 2003 when she was Confirmed into the Roman Catholic Church. Saint Theresa’s was her parish church.
Kathleen raised 4 children in a Christian household while standing side-by-side with Garvis farming cotton, soybeans and growing chickens.
In 1972, Garvis was elected Leake County Justice Court Judge, but it was Kathleen behind all the paperwork, keeping up with court documents and filings. She was gifted with brilliant organizational skills.
In the 1980s and 90s, Kathleen managed her 4 children’s’ very successful local band, Leather & Lace. She handled marketing, bookings, contracts and accounting for the group, and ran the sound board for several years. Somehow, she also found time to accompany other family and friends to regular doctor’s visits, attend ballgames and other functions with extended family.
Kathleen and her family opened their first pawn shop in 1987 in Carthage Mississippi and then moved to Merdian in 1988. In 2001 Kathleen and Garvis moved their pawn shop to Forest Mississippi. Again, she was behind all the organizational aspects when it came to accounting and record keeping. In 2005, they started Thomas Rental Properties which she managed from collections and accounting aspects.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son - James Mitchell (Mike) Thomas and daughter-n-law - Kris Moore Thomas, and her brother, James Arden Gentry.
She is survived by her daughter - Lynn Thaggard (Toby); her son - Dewayne Thomas (Julie); her son, Bryan Keith Thomas (Mary Ellen), her sister - Christine Gentry Wilcher, her sister - Betty Gentry Todd, 9 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation was 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Monday, December 18, 2023 at Wilcox Funeral Home. Services were 2:00 pm Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at St. Theresa's Catholic Church with Father Bob Goodyear officiating.
Interment was in Madden Cemetery with Wilcox Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Pallbearers were: Mitchell Thomas, Matthew Thomas, Dylan Thomas, Jacob Thomas, Weston Thomas, and Lucas Thomas.
Honorary pallbearers were: Jimmy Gentry, Jason Gentry, Kevin Wilcher, Gavin Clark, Jeremy Todd, Jamie Todd, Steve Lofton, Andrew Jenkins, Robert Ray, and Kirk Blocker.