Obituaries

Colleen Yvette Thomas was born on June 23, 1955. She attended Benton and Lexington Elementary Schools and Beaumont High School. She also participated in the O'Fallon Tech Work-Study program. Colleen then began her 35 year career as an Customer Service Representative at the Laclede Gas Company (now Spire). Early in life, she met and married US Marine Corps Lieutenant Ronald Eric Thomas (preceded her in death). Together, they raised three children...Jateron (recently preceded her in death), Dr. Khannia Thomas and Tamond Thomas.

After retirement, Colleen became a Substitute Teacher, Teacher's Assistant and Reading Tutor for the Ferguson-Florissant and Hazelwood School Districts where she worked with elementary and special needs students. She was also a volunteer for the Weather Wise Program, OASIS Senior Program and the United Way. She then attended St. Louis Community College and received a Travel and Tourism Diploma. Colleen loved to travel with her daughter. They went to Marco Island, Miami, and Cozumel in recent years.

Colleen was a very spirited being and a gem of a woman who was full of love, compassion, and understanding for the world. She labored to bestow upon her children wisdom that came through pain and sacrifice. Her true loves were her estranged husband RT, her children, and her children's children. Colleen had an unbreakable bond with her younger sister Mindy who never left her side. She had a trust and reliance upon the awesome might and word of God. She also attended Third Presbyterian Church where she worked in the Children's Ministry for some time.

In 2023, in spite of her failing health, Colleen pushed herself to visit her son Jateron in Atlanta to show her unwavering emotional support while he battled lung cancer. Jateron quietly transitioned on September 29th, 2024.

On December 15, 2024, after a 24 day battle in the hospital, at 69 years young, Colleen departed this earthly life. Her final lucid moments were spent at her bedside with music, dance and laughter. She was surrounded by her family and Tamond was her hype-man. To help cherish her memory, she leaves behind her two children (Khannia and Tamond); six grandchildren (Jarren, Yasin 19, Idris 17, Jaylyn 15, Khalim 9 and Zakhariyah 6); great granddaughter (Journie 5); brother (Keith) and sister (Mindy); nephew (Yancy) and niece (Dina); uncle (Harold), and a whole host of other family members and friends. Colleen Thomas undoubtedly touched and influenced many lives. She was often sought out as a confidante and was the ideal partner for those she loved, the faithful woman she was. Believe if you may, If God would welcome any to Paradise, surely Colleen would have her place!

“Even though I walk through the valley the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me” Psalm 23