Frances Marie Thomas

Frances Marie Thomas June 20, 1934 - February 19, 2013 Frances Marie Coppin Thomas of Waco, Christian wife, mother, and grandmother entered her eternal rest Tuesday, February 19, 2013. A celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 26, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel with the Revs. Robert James and Randy Thompson officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, February 25, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Frances Marie was born June 20, 1934, in Roxton, Texas, to F.D. and Dovie Coppin residing much of her young life in Huntington, Texas, where her father served as pastor of First Baptist Church. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Baylor University in 1955. She began her nursing career at Hillcrest Baptist Hospital and was later named head nurse of the newborn nursery. She also served as a nursing instructor at McLennan Community College and finished her career serving as a school nurse for the Waco ISD for more than 30 years, most notably as the only nurse for the district's Prenatal Continuing Education program. Frances Marie was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Waco where she served as a Sunday School teacher, mission activities director, Vacation Bible School teacher, and mentored many choir members' children during Sunday services. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 49 years, Herman Douglas Thomas; and her sister, Madelyn Drewyer. She is survived by her daughter, Laura Thomas of Waco; her son, Charles Thomas and wife, Jeanna, of Flower Mound, Texas; and grandchildren, Charles and John Dunwoody of Waco, and Blake, Ryan and Chloe Thomas of Flower Mound. Pallbearers are Wayne Coker, Roland Drewyer, Jr., Blake Knoph, John Roberts, Mark Whitaker, and Rex Whitaker. Memorials may be made to the F.D. and Dovie Coppin Scholarship Fund at Baylor University, c/o Baylor University Gifts Department, 1 Bear Plaza 97050, Waco, Texas 76798. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.