Obituary of Juanita Thomas

Juanita Thomas of Wappingers Falls entered into rest Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. She was 82. Daughter of the late Edward Collier and Annie May Robinson, she was born on March 17, 1934 in Miami, Florida. She was predeceased by her husband Horace in 1966. Mrs. Thomas worked in administration for IBM until her retirement. She was also an accomplished seamstress and beautician. In her spare time, she was an avid bowler and reader. She also enjoyed knitting and traveling. Mrs. Thomas was a longtime member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Wappingers Falls. There, she was a former president of the missionaries, an usher, she taught Sunday Nursery School and was a spiritual mother to many. She was also very active in her community as a member of the Free Women in Christ Outreach Ministries, the Ladies of Distinction (Red Hat Society) and the Futuristics. Mrs. Thomas spoke her mind, but it was hard not to love her. She is loved and missed by everyone who knew her. Survivors include her children, Gail Williams (Ronald) of Newburgh, Natasha Powell of Wappingers Falls and Suzanne Messier (Richard) of Beacon; grandchildren, LaMont, Leah, Lynese, Angel, Malik, Darius, Robert and Joseph; great-grandchildren, Ashley, Alicia, Emery, Jasmyn, Nadir, Nadiyah, Janell, Janiyah, Jaliyah and Navia; and great-great grandchildren, Roman and Maliyah. Just hours after going home to God, Mrs. Thomas' first born, Cedric L. Thomas, joined her in heaven, passing on March 1, 2017. Family will receive friends on Friday, March 10, 2017 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 2607 South Avenue in Wappingers Falls. A visitation will also be held on Saturday, March 11, 2017 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 3:30 p.m. at the church. Attire: white and/or bright. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Memo: Founders' Renovation, 2607 South Avenue, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. Arrangements are under the direction of Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E. Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. To send a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.