Loretta Faye Thomas

Loretta Faye Thomas, 78, of Miller passed away on Jan. 5, 2026, at Lawrence County Manor in Mt. Vernon. She was born April 4, 1947, in Golden City, the daughter of Frank Rolla and Neata May (Gulick) Pyle.
She was a 1965 graduate of Miller High School and married Lynn Thomas on May 17, 1965 in Red Oak. He preceded her in death on Dec. 22, 2016. She continued her education at Springfield Beauty Academy, upon graduation she opened her own salon at their home. After the children started school she worked for the Miller R-2 School system as the cook at West Elementary. She later ran the Department of Motor Vehicles in Mt. Vernon. She also served several years as a board member for Miller R-2 Schools and served on the State of Missouri School Board as a director. She was very active with community service including, Lawrence County Democrats, Young Farmers and Young Farm Wives, Red Oak Special Road district board member, and volunteered for numerous school and community events. She gave her life to God at a very early age.
She is survived by her son, Willie Thomas and his wife, Kim; one daughter, Lorie Garner and Bill Zobel; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; awaiting great-grandchild number three; one sister, Erma Thomas; three sister-in-laws, Frankie Pyle, Lela Pyle and Tana Pyle; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Neata; husband Lynn; five sisters, Fern Wright, Margaret Uber, Eula Mae Thomas, Lorene Glidewell and Ruth Platt and five bothers, Earl, Harley, Paul, Ancil and Howard Pyle.
A visitation will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, directly followed by the celebration of life service at the First Christian Church, Mt. Vernon.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Grays Point Memorial Cemetery, P.O. Box 53, Miller, Mo.