Margaret Stonecipher Thomas, 87

Margaret Stonecipher Thomas age 87, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 after a brief illness. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband of over 46 years, Royce P “Bo” Thomas, her sister, Mary Stonecipher Skinner Tichy, as well as her son-in-law, Stephen Vieira.

 A Henderson County native, Margaret Cecille Stonecipher was born on March 21, 1931 at Patton Hospital, a daughter of the late Blenda Latt Stonecipher and Cecil Fullerton Stonecipher. She graduated with the class of 1948 from Hendersonville High School and continued to remain active in the Hendersonville High School Alumni Association as a loyal “Bearcat.” She graduated first in her class from Southern Seminary College in Virginia in 1950. She married the love of her life, “Bo” Thomas in 1951 and lovingly reared their three children. She worked as the Chief Financial Officer for many years for Thomas Brothers Produce Company until her retirement in 2012.

She was an active member of the Hendersonville Lions Club and held several offices with PEO respectfully. An active philanthropist in the community, she was an ardent supporter of Blue Ridge Community College as well as the preservation of The Historic Hendersonville Courthouse. She loved to play bridge with her favorite bridge partner, Nancy Wert, and loved ballroom dancing. She loved Duke Basketball and attended many games and tournaments and was a lifetime member of The Iron Dukes. She enjoyed traveling not only in the United States with her friends, Bobbye Lucas and Eleanor Morrow, affectionately referred to as the “Golden Girls” as well as having traveled extensively visiting five different continents as well. She was baptized in and was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hendersonville.

 She is survived by her three children: James Royce Thomas, Mary Thomas Vieira and Richard Latt Thomas and his wife Sherry. She is survived by her four grandchildren:
Stephen Alexander Vieira; Weesie Vieira Thelen and husband Colby; Margaret Vieira Riach and husband Kyle; and Chapman Karlsson Thomas and wife Leanne. She is also survived by her cousin, John Latt and his wife Becky,as well as numerous members of the Thomas Family.

A Celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, December 7, 2018 at the Hendersonville Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Kathryn Cameron officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at the Thomas residence.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions for Margaret's lifelong church, First Presbyterian Church of Hendersonville. 816 4th Avenue West, Hendersonville, NC 28739

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thos.shepherd.com.
Thos.Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.