Rachel Jean Garland Thomas

Rachel Jean Garland Thomas, 71, of Morganton died Monday, May 7, 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Mitchell County on January 26, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Ross Garland and Bertha Hardin Garland. She was a devoted member of Grandview Baptist Church. A beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, her greatest joy was her grandchildren. From little league to academic awards, she never missed an event or program that they were involved in. Rachel also babysat for over 50 children (who referred to her as "Mommie Tommie" for fifteen years. Additional, she was a former employee of Hanes and Sara Lee. Rachel loved gospel music, animals, flowers, and children and was a talented seamstress who made Freedom High School’s first cheerleading uniforms.Rachel is survived by her daughter, Penny Thomas Jenkins of Morganton; grandchildren, Nicholas, Jordan, and Tommy Jenkins; sisters, Joann McGee (her twin) of Hickory, NC and Peggy Forbes and husband, Ray, of Bakersville, NC; sisters-in-law, Elsie Pittman of Statesville, NC and Peggy Young and her husband, Ted, of Johnson City, TN; and numerous nephews and nieces.In addition to her parents, Rachel was preceded in death by her husband, William Baxter Thomas; four brothers, Hugh, Carl, Paul, and Claude Garland; and two sisters, Kate Pritchard and Helen Garland.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Grandview Baptist Church with Reverends John Whisnant, Luther Carver, and Tommy Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church for one hour prior to the service.Memorial contributions may be made to Grandview Baptist Church, 1290 Harris-Whisnant Road, Morganton, NC 28655 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.