Charlene Belle Thomas, 72, Purcell, Missouri, passed away Saturday evening, September 24, 2022, at Freeman Hospital West, Joplin, Missouri.
Charlene was born August 3, 1950, in Webb City, Missouri, the daughter of the late Oscar Lee and Vinita (Royster) Lee. Charlene married James Nolan (Fox) Thomas on March 3, 1970, in Las Vegas, Nevada; he preceded her in death on May 18, 2012. She worked on the farm gathering eggs and was also a production worker at Butterball in Carthage until her retirement. She was a member of the Bible Baptist Church in Carthage. Charlene enjoyed taking care of her bird, Rebel, tending to her plants and flowers, but most of all, loved being around her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include four daughters, Loretta Logsdon, Neck City, Missouri, Rose Matthews (Tim), De Leon, Texas, Laura Fox, Purcell, Missouri, and Dawn Thomas of Texas; four sons, Benny Fox (Angela), Purcell, Missouri, James Nolan Thomas, Jr. (Shale Patton), Duenweg, Missouri, James Fox (Sara) of Missouri, and Charlie Fox, Kermit, Texas; a son-in-law, Terry D. Dunham; four brothers, Charles Lee (Linda), Wentworth, Missouri, Henry Lee (Jane), Carytown, Missouri, Floyd Lee, Purcell, Missouri, and Tom Lee, Carthage, Missouri; a sister, Retha “Sissy” Swatosh, Sarcoxie, Missouri; 36 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and many extended family and friends.
She was also preceded in death by five brothers, Charlie “Coon” Lee, Frank Lee, Alvin Lee, Jerry Lee, and Kenneth Lee; three sisters, Shirley Crouch, Alice Robinson, and Wilma Gardner; and a granddaughter, Leticia Dunham.
Memorial services will be held 2 pm, Friday, September 30, 2022, at Knell Mortuary, Carthage. Inurnment will be at Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.
