Blanche Thomas
July 7, 1937 — September 13, 2017
Blanche Handsford Thomas, 80, of Gaithersburg, left us on September 13, 2017, with her family by her side at Suburban Hospital. She was the wife of the late John Wesley Thomas. Born on July 7, 1937, in Saltville, VA, she was one of fifteen children born to Estel Bernard Rhea and Georgie Elizabeth (Puckett) Rhea.
Blanche moved to Maryland over 57 years ago and was a longtime resident of Damascus. Her interests were her family, red birds, butterflies, word find puzzles and playing cards. She devoted all of her time and energy to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Blanche had five beautiful daughters: Doris, Estelle, Barbara, Melissa and Melinda; son-in-laws: Clifford, Gene, Alfredo, Jim "Cricket" and Carlos; fourteen grandchildren: Robert Jr., Pamela, Clifton, Sabrina, James, David, Philip, Michael, Jonathan, Brandon, Elray, Robert “Bobby”, Ashley and Charlie; twelve great grandchildren: Shania, Deondre, Jalyn, Alyssa, Kylie, Nickayla, Haley, Aleya, Alexa, Kennedy, Delainey and Gavin. Blanche is preceded in death by her parents, husband John, daughter Doris, grandson James and several brothers and sisters.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Monday, September 18 at Stauffer Funeral Homes, P.A., 8 East Ridgeville in Mt. Airy, MD. A celebration of Blanche's life journey will take place immediately following visitation at 12:00 pm. Interment will be in Parklawn Memorial Park in Rockville.