Oct. 22, 1928 —Jan. 21, 2019

Betty Irene Thomas, 90, of Niles, died peacefully on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, at her home in Bald Knob, Arkansas, following an extended illness.

She was born on Oct. 22, 1928, in Guy, Arkansas, to D. O. and Frankie (Gentry) Butler.

She attended Judsonia (Arkansas) High School, and moved with her family to Niles where she has lived most of her life.

She was employed for more than 20 years at the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company.

In retirement, she and her husband returned to Arkansas and founded the J&B Janitorial Services. More recently she has been sharing her time between Niles and Bald Knob.

Betty enjoyed fishing, cooking special orders for her family, and more recently has learned how to navigate the internet on her tablet where she played games and collected recipes. Betty’s priority was always caring for her family. During difficult times, she provided a home and parenting for her grandchildren, and she loved her great-grandchildren and their children.

In 1953, in Eau Claire, she married Joe M. Thomas with whom she celebrated their 47th anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on July 2, 2000.

She was also preceded in death by her only child, JoAnn Laws Thomas, and by her only grandson, Craig A. Laws, Jr.

Surviving family includes her granddaughters, Jody (Mike) Purdy, of Niles, Heather Laws and Amanda Laws, both of Bald Knob, and Shondi Laws, of Mishawaka, great-grandchildren Casey (Joe) Simmons, Michael Purdy, Hailey Manier, Aubreana Laws, Havanna Laws, Katie Balint, and Addilin Balint; great-great-grandchildren, Aria, Harper, and Michael; Betty’s sister, Mary Moore, of Arkansas, and many nieces and nephews.

The family of Betty Thomas will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, 2019, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street, in Niles.

Committal will be private, on Monday in the Caldwell Cemetery in Eau Claire, Michigan. Online condolences may be left at: ¬¬halbritterwickens.com