Nora Jo Thomas

Nora Josephine Lawson Thomas, 89, widow, passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2022, in Kingwood, TX.  Nora “Jo” was born in Hastings, Oklahoma to Zeke and Susie Cavel Lawson. She was 1 of 7 children, Ferne, Fred, Merle, Earnest, Jesse, and Howard. She was married to Eugene Sylvester Akerman in 1949. They had one son, Jesse Eugene Akerman. Jo married Doyle “Tommy” Louis Thomas in 1955. They had 2 children, Jo Nell and Dennis Charles. They created a wonderful loving family life together until his death in 1977. Jo was united with James Hight in 1980 bringing Jimmy and Sharon into her family. They were together until his death in 2009.

Nora Jo Thomas wore many hats in her lifetime. She lived in Comanche, Oklahoma, and when she moved to Texas, she lived at different times in Fort Worth, Houston and Covington.

Most friends and family simply called her Jo. In addition to being a fantastic mother, she was also a great friend and listener. Her many friends, nieces, and nephews would call and talk to her for hours at a time about different subjects and ask for advice, which she would always gladly give her advice and opinions, even though it may not be what you wanted to hear.

She grew up as a child as the Great Depression was coming to an end and at the start of the United States involvement into World War II. This helped to shape her conservative values and she could certainly stretch a dime into a dollar. She worked many jobs as a waitress, secretary, home health caregiver, but she would be quick to tell you that her most important job was to be a wife, mother, and grandmother. She dearly loved all her grandkids and they certainly loved her. She was a great cook, and everyone would look forward to her cooking when they came to visit her, especially her biscuits and sausage gravy for breakfast. Yummy! And every holiday season, we would all be treated to her homemade jellies and fudge candies that she would deliver to us.

She absolutely loved living in the stone house in Covington. Her daughter, Jo Nell had tried many times to get her to move down to the Houston area to live with her, but she always refused. She did not want to give up her independence and her Bingo!  Also, she loved watching her “stories” and game shows on TV, and on game day, she would never miss watching her Dallas Cowboys play. She would eventually become a fan of the Houston Cougars as well, since 2 of her grandsons graduated from there.

She told us many times that she would let us know when she thought that she could no longer take care of herself, and that time came way too soon in all our opinions. She will be greatly missed by everyone that knew her.

She is survived by 1 daughter, Jo Nell Thomas Snider and husband, Tommy W. Snider, daughter in law, Jimmie Sue Akerman, Grandchildren – Tammy, Jason, Sean, Samantha, Krystal, Pepper, Richard, Brandi, Billy, Dwayne, Austin, Nicole, Felicia, and JC.

23 Great Grandchildren, 6 Great Great Grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents, 2 sons, and 6 siblings, numerous nieces and nephews and her best friend, Rudene Smethers.

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