Wanda Gray Thomas, 79, has received her heart's desire to go to Heaven and be with Jesus who loves her immensely, following her 13-year battle with lung cancer. She was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on January 19, 1943, and passed away on Thursday, March 17, 2022.

Growing up in Clinton, Oklahoma, she graduated from high school in 1961 as co-valedictorian. In 1966, she graduated from Oklahoma State University with honors and a master's degree, following wonderful, rich years of involvement in Kappa Alpha Theta and Student Council, among other organizations. Known by all as kind, caring, and beautiful, she was honored to be selected Queen by many fraternities at OSU.

She married Ed Thomas nearly 56 years ago, on June 19, 1966, and began married life in Houston as an advanced Biology teacher to the high school children of several astronauts near NASA. Following her husband's professional transfer, she taught school in Dallas, carrying fond memories of many students, including grandson of Dallas Cowboys' Coach Tom Landry. After stints to follow in New Jersey and Caracas, Venezuela, she and Ed returned to Houston in 1971, where she earned a second master's degree in nutrition and worked at "Keep Pace" with underdeveloped children.

Wanda's greatest love was for her Lord, Jesus Christ, and she loved sharing His saving message of hope, love, and life to people near and far, traveling with her husband, Ed, to 93 different countries and becoming known along the way as "the little evangelist." She led many in other countries – particularly Ukraine and Russia – to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and she was faithfully involved in many vibrant ministries like: Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU), Faith Comes by Hearing, Global Media Outreach and the Institute of Creation Research.

She taught her children God's Word and led all three into the saving relationship with Jesus Christ that sustains all of them today: Suzanne Thomas Werlein (married to Pastor Ken Werlein); Stephen Thomas (married to Jennifer Zarro), and Paul Thomas (married to Callie Wells). She is survived by all three, along with her loving husband, Ed, and by all eight grandchildren to whom she was a loving Grammy: Wesley Werlein (17) and William Werlein (14); Andie Thomas (17), Gray Thomas (14), and Tyler Thomas (11); Wren Thomas (7), Archer Thomas (2), and Daisy Thomas (newly born). She died with the hope and confidence that her children and grandchildren will all carry forward her legacy and love for Christ Jesus.

In addition to being survived by all of them, Wanda is survived by her brother, Charles Gray (Edmond Oklahoma), and her sister, Norma Barr (Carbondale, Colorado), after being preceded in death by her parents, Carl S. Gray and Lora Goode Gray.

Wanda's Homegoing Celebration will be officiated by Pastor Ken Werlein at Faithbridge Church (18000 Stuebner-Airline Rd., Spring, TX 77379), at 11am on Wednesday, March 23, with reception following. Livestream of the memorial service will be available at www.faithbridge.org/memorial. While flowers are always appreciated, the family would love to see special donations made in lieu of flowers to help Ukrainians today via: https://sportscatalyst.org/donate, in remembrance of Wanda.

For those not able to attend the Service, there is a Live Stream available

faithbridge.org/memorial