Hazel Elaine Thomas

Hazel Elaine Thomas passed away peacefully on Friday, January 12, 2024, in Temple, Texas. She was born on August 24, 1929, in Auburn, California, to George Monroe May and Annie Murray May.

Hazel spent her early years in Roseville, California, where she met her husband, Leonard Thomas. Soon after her daughter, Vallorie, was born, the family moved to Swanton, Ohio, where she spent most of her life. She took pride in her home, cooking, baking and gardening. She spent time volunteering with the local school, helping students learn to read, which was another one of her passions. She loved painting ceramics, crafting and making jewelry, and her family has many of her beautiful creations. She and her family spent vacations camping, hiking, fishing, and exploring many of the U.S. national and state parks. She spent a memorable vacation in the United Kingdom with her sister, Darlene, where they were recognized by their infectious laughter throughout England and Ireland. She moved to Texas to be near her daughter, granddaughters and great-grandchildren and fulfilled her life-long dream of living near her family. Affectionately known as Grammy, she stayed close with her family while she lived many miles away, but loved being able to watch dance recitals, baseball games and attending birthday parties when she moved to Texas.

She is survived by her daughter, Vallorie Holloman (Michael), granddaughters, Jenny Garcia and Katy Sombito (Lester), and great-grandchildren, Hailyn Garcia, Issac Garcia, Lila Sombito and Laina Sombito and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Leonard, her brother, Cecil, sisters Genevieve (Gennie), Charlotte, and Darlene and her parents.

She will live on in the memories of all those who loved her. Her ashes will be scattered, with her husband’s, near Donner Summit, California