Marjorie Harris Thomas

Died: Nov. 13, 2012

Marjorie Harris Thomas, 91, of Riverview Church Road, Asheville, N.C., died Tuesday, Nov. 13, at the VA hospital in Asheville.

Raised in Madison County, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Rev. J. Weldon Harris and the late Julia Mace Harris. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Clay Thomas, and a sister, Helen Fowler.

Mrs. Thomas graduated from Walnut High School in 1939. She joined the U.S. Army (WAC) during World War II. She was very proud of her service, and helped pave the way for further generations of young women in the military.

She served on the Buncombe County (NC) Veterans Council. She retired from the NOAA in the Arcade building in Asheville. She worked for the Asheville Police Department until the age of 86, most recently in the records room.

Mrs. Thomas was a member of the St. Lawrence Council of Catholic Daughters of the Americas until she founded a council at St. Joan of Arc Church. She served in several local and state offices as well as being regent.

Survivors include two daughters: Virginia Guthrie and husband, Grant, and G.G. Hampton and husband, Ernest, of Greene County; four sons: Michael T. Godleski, Ted Godleski and wife, Shirley, Tom Godleski and wife, Terri, and Andy Godleski; 15 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

A funeral mass was celebrated on Nov. 17 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, with the Rev. Frank Seabo officiating. Interment with full military honors followed in Green Hill Cemetery.