Neva Louise Thomas passed away  on Wednesday, April 7, at the age of 82. She is survived by her husband, James V. Thomas, to whom she was happily married for 63 years, and by  their children: daughter, Jeanne and husband, Bob; son, Jim and wife,  Carol, and son Joe and wife, Julie; and her sister, Leona Alkire  and her brother, Jerry Hinton. Neva was also blessed with nine grandchildren, Jerri, Melissa, Jessica, John, David, Janette, Lisa, James and Joseph, and two great-grandchildren, Jackie and Maddie.

Neva was born on July 10, 1927 to Oscar and Lula Hinton in Bokoshe, Oklahoma. From humble beginnings, Neva accomplished a great deal with her life through her intelligence  and hard work. An exceptional determination and drive lay beneath  her beauty and southern lady charm.

The Thomas family moved to Manteca in 1959. Neva taught fourth grade at Sequoia School and worked on her college degree at nights, weekends and summers. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Northeastern Oklahoma State College. She continued her education while teaching full time and caring for her husband and children, and earned a Master’s degree  and a Speech Pathology Credential from the University of the Pacific.   She spent the last several years of her career as a speech therapist  for the Manteca United School District and retired in 1990, after more  than 30 years of service in public education. She was a long-time member  of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Manteca.

Neva will be remembered as a smart, funny, and pretty lady who took pride in her appearance, loved her family, and was passionate about her profession.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Monday, April 12, at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel at P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home, 290 N. Union Road, Manteca.