Elizabeth Earman Thomas

Published 1:04 pm Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Elizabeth Earman Thomas, 88, of Harrisonburg, passed away Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, at Woodland Park Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community.

Beth was born on March 26, 1927, and was the daughter to the late Samuel Theodore and Evelyn Riddle Earman. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by brothers, Robert F. Earman and William “Billy” Earman; son, Robert W. Thomas; and son-in-law, Ralph T. Williams.

Beth was a great cook, she helped create and promote The Sussex Sampler Cookbook. She was a graduate from Keezletown High School in 1944. She was a graduate from Elon College and went on to receive her Master in Education from Virginia State College. She went to work as a Virginia Extension Agent, retiring in 1990. In her retirement she moved to Southhampton County to be closer to family and help in raising her grandchildren.

She was married to Joseph P. Raines, who was drafted and served in WWII; he died during the war.

She is survived by son, John H. “Jay” Thomas III and wife, Cathy; daughter, Leah-Beth Williams; grandchildren, Leannah Farbotko and husband, Cameron, Ryan Williams and wife, Shanna, John H “Jack” Thomas IV, James S. Thomas; great-grandchildren, Ryker J. Williams and Payzley Jade Thomas.

Pastor Jerry Fawley will conduct a funeral service at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 5, at Kyger Funeral Home and Chapel in Harrisonburg. Burial will be at New Hope Cemetery on Smithland Road. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Alzheimer Association at 250 E. Market St. Suite C, Harrisonburg, Va., 22801.

The family would like to thank the staff at VMRC for all of the care and support given to their family.

You can send condolences to the family at www.kygers.com.