Olive Thomas, 94, of Carthage, Missouri, passed away on April 20, 2026, in Carthage, Missouri. She was born on January 18, 1932, in Aurora, Missouri, the daughter of the late Frank Jane and Edna Mae (Harlow) Glendenning.
Olive was a proud graduate of Bolivar High School, class of 1949. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in art and design from Southwest Missouri State University in 1953. While attending college, she was also a member of the swim and dive team and enjoyed playing recreational basketball.
After completing her education, Olive married Clarke Thomas on April 19, 1953 in Bolivar, Missouri. Olive devoted much of her life to her family as a homemaker, raising her children with love and many hours of games, activities, and playtime. She also shared her artistic talents as an art teacher in Norfolk, Virginia, for a year and later in Carthage, Missouri.
Olive enjoyed reading, knitting, and collecting antiques. She was also a great bridge player and belonged to several bridge clubs, where she enjoyed the challenge of the game. Above all else, she treasured time spent with her family. Olive called her grandchildren and great-grandchildren pumpkins.
She is survived by her children, Matt Thomas and his wife Lisa of Carthage, Missouri, Lynn Campbell and her husband Don of Carthage, Missouri, Andy Thomas and his wife Dina of Carthage, Missouri, and Carla Colvert and her husband Richard of Clinton, Missouri. She also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, all of whom were blessed by her love and presence. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Marlene Glendenning, Kay Glendenning, and Mary Peterson.
Olive was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Clarke Thomas; one grandson, Russell Colvert; one great-grandson, Lucas Nugent; her brothers, Jack, Bud, George, and Ralph Glendenning; and her sister, Mary Lea Phillips.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at Cherry’s Woodshed in Carthage.
