Faye (Midkiff) Thomas

Faye Thomas, 85, of Harrisburg, passed away peacefully at home on the morning of Friday, May 13, 2022. She was born May 6, 1937, to Leamon and Adella (Hendrix) Midkiff of Norris City, IL. After graduating from high school in Norris City, she married Gary Thomas of Eldorado on November 26, 1955.  Gary and Faye had a very special, loving marriage that lasted 66 and one half years. They were blessed with two children, Greg Thomas and Cindy Simpson of Harrisburg. After moving to Harrisburg in the mid-1960’s, Faye worked as a clerk at Myron’s dress shop for several years, and later served as the manager for The Youth Shop, a children’s clothing store in Harrisburg.  She retired from working outside the home in 1984 and spent her time tending flowers in her yard, enjoying her grandchildren, cooking and baking, reading and enjoying embroidery.  Faye loved to travel, and before long she and Gary had visited all 50 states. Together they spent many weeks camping and fishing at Barkley Lake every year.  Some of her favorite travels were to National Parks, and she and Gary visited dozens of them. She especially loved Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone, and Smoky Mountains. When they visited Alaska, she and Gary were gone for almost two months, in a motorhome. That was her favorite trip. She truly enjoyed life. Faye was a Christian by faith and read her Bible daily.  She suffered many health problems over the last several years, but almost always kept her bright outlook and smile.  When she could no longer be active, she began filling her time with reading, sometimes finishing a large novel per day. But most important to Faye was her husband and her family-always. Faye is survived by her husband Gary, children Greg (Lisa) Thomas and Cindy (Richard) Simpson, grandchildren Hilary (Matt) Ford of Harrisburg, Clint Simpson (Blaine Campbell) of Evansville, IN, Melissa Simpson (Paul Tikusis) of Belgrade, MT, and Garrett (Jami) Thomas of Harrisburg.  She was blessed with six great-grandchildren, Lilli and Jack Ford, Haley Mead and Marshall Tikusis, and Gage and Avery Thomas.  She is also survived by sister Esther Coupal of Norris City, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ron and Sandi Haddock of Dallas, TX,  brother-in-law Bill Smith of Norris City,  and many nieces and nephews. Faye was preceded in death by her parents, her father-in-law Rev. E.W. Thomas, mother-in law, Alpha Thomas, and eight siblings: Ernest Midkiff, Ozna Midkiff, Virginia Remes, Thomas Midkiff,  Denver Midkiff, Dana Smith, David Midkiff, and James Midkiff. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 16, 2022 at Colonial Terrace Funeral home in Eldorado with Rev. Russell Helton officiating. Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. until service time on Monday. Burial will be in Lindale Cemetery. Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family via the website www.colonialterracefuneralhome.com