Lois Joy Runyon Thomas

Henry James once said, "Sorrow comes in great waves … but it rolls over us, and though it may almost smother us, it leaves us on the spot and we know that if it is strong we are stronger. In as much as it passes and we will remain."

Longtime Moses Lake resident Lois Joy Runyon Thomas, 79, passed away Saturday, June 21, 2008, at her home.

Mrs. Thomas was bom Sept. 24, 1928, in Spokane to Wilhelmina and Roy Runyon.

She married Wayne Wilson Thomas on July 11, 1945.

Mrs. Thomas never liked to be the center of attention. If she were with us now, she would want us to take the focus off her and put it on our families. She would not want us to focus on the sadness of her death, but instead look at the happiness we still have in our lives. She would want us to look at each other and appreciate what we have together and what we hope to make better.

We have much consolation in the good feelings our memories give us. Her home, a safe-haven. Her laughter, contagious. Even in her later years, and with her prolonged illness, she remained very playful. She always said that her grandchildren kept her young at heart. That made them all feel good inside, for each of them thought they were her favorite.

We can see that all three of her children got her loving spirit. She was a great teacher to have, not only for her children and grandchildren, but also for everybody. She was selfless and kind. She loved being a parent and grandparent. It was her calling in life.

Mrs. Thomas was a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses and one of her greatest joys was serving Jehovah and teaching the Truth.

As a family we will miss her big smile and roaring laugh. She was a wonderful role model, mother, and friend.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ira Walker and Amita Thomas of Pasco, Wash., daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Lindsay Russell of Moses Lake, daughter and son-in-law Mary Jane and Jose' Castillo of Tepic, Mexico; 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, four sisters, Mary Jane Rehn of Spokane, Gail Spaeth of Spokane, Rhea Gano of Montrose, Colo., and her identical twin sister and best friend, Lynn Key of Moses Lake. Mrs. Thomas was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Thomas in 1988.

A celebration of Lois' life will be held in Moses Lake at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses at 2 p.m. Saturday June 28.

Anyone up for a game of Scrabble?