Ruby Leora Thomas

Ruby Leora Thomas passed away on March 8, 2022, at her home surrounded by family. Leora was born February 16, 1926, to Joseph Alma DeGraw and Junietta Luella Chatwin in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Leora met the love of her life Verlyn Jess Thomas on a blind date. They married January 1, 1946, and their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple April 9, 1946.

Leora was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many auxiliaries of the church including Relief Society and Sunday School. She supported her husband while he served twice as Bishop and a Stake President. She enjoyed her service in the nursery at the Salt Lake Temple watching the children while they were waiting to be sealed to their parents. Leora and Verlyn happily served two missions for their church: one in Fresno, Ca, and the other as directors of the St. George Temple Visitors Center and historical sites.

She was very independent all her life and at an early age got a job working at The Kress department store in downtown Salt Lake. After graduating from High School, she went to work for the Mountain Bell telephone company until she married. Years later she worked at JCPenney until she retired.

When Leora worked for the phone company, she worked the evening shift and after work, all the girls would take the bus down to the Terrace Ballroom where the soldiers loved to go to dance. They could dance all evening and then the bus would take all the soldiers back to the base.

Leora served as a docent at the Daughters of Utah Pioneer museum, and hosted camp meetings at her home for several years. She made many friends and loved to tell her family about the visitors who came to the museum from all around the country. She was happiest when members of her family would come by the museum so she could share the interesting stories and histories about the artifacts.

Leora is survived by her children Lynn (Cherie) Thomas, Darl (Ivana) Thomas, Mary Lee Clift, Lisa (Tom) Arnold, 17 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren. She is also survived by brothers, David and Lenard DeGraw. Leora is preceded in death by her husband Verlyn Jess Thomas, daughters Malinda and Joyce, grandchildren Rebecca Thomas Griffith, Brian Thomas, Parker Steinhorst, and son in law Les Clift.

Services will be held Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at 11:00 am at the Jefferson Ward, 1883 South West Temple. Friends may call Tuesday from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City and Wednesday an hour prior to services at the church.
Interment will be at Lehi City Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the dedicated caregivers, Nubia, Delores, Maggie and especially Sonia who spent many hours providing comfort and loving support to our dear mother.

For those who wish to view the recording of the services may do so here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/TU8QeeIiYwuRYBtd3DxqoDc3arQ7ZxTuDFZY18U2ST20FBfMWiY1Bd5Tec6TU-ck.dnC2nBwMqTe92gpj?startTime=1647447827000
To download, click the download icon in the upper right-hand corner.