Edith Thomas

EDITH THOMAS



Tupelo - Edith Ruff Thomas, 93, a founder of Tupelo Community Theatre and the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra, died at her Tupelo residence Wednesday following a period of declining health. Mrs. Thomas, Tupelo's Citizen of the Year in 1987, was a leader in the development of the musical and dramatic arts in Tupelo for more than 40 years.



She was the widow of P.K. Thomas, Jr., MD, a Tupelo physician who was instrumental in developing Tupelo?s hospital into North Mississippi Medical Center, a nationally recognized center of excellence.



Mrs. Thomas was the daughter of the late George William Ruff and Zillah Zent Ruff, who had moved to Tupelo in 1926, later establishing Ruff?s Dairy and a large farming operation now known as Big Oaks Farm LLC. The Ruff dairy farm was on the land now occupied by the Barnes Crossing Mall and commercial district.



Mrs. Thomas was a founding director of Tupelo Community Theatre, which named her director emeritus upon her retirement from the board. She was known for her commitment to the financial integrity of every organization with which she was involved, and worked as a fundraiser, donor and tireless ticket salesman for TCT for more than 15 years, including funding for the theater?s purchase of the Lyric Theater property in downtown Tupelo.



Similarly, she was a charter member of the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra support group, and served as fund chairman and special fundraiser involving Tupelo?s medical community in support of the orchestra. She also helped found a Tupelo/Lee County chapter of the Mississippi Mental Health Society.



In 1987, she was named Citizen of the Year by the Tupelo Junior Auxiliary, Tupelo?s highest civic honor.



Mrs. Thomas was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church where she sang in the Chancel Choir for more than 50 years, served as president of the Women of the Church, organized Tupelo?s first International Students Weekend, and worked with both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America. She was a mother and grandmother to seven Eagle Scouts. She was a member of the church?s Worship Committee, and during her tenure, she was instrumental in making major enhancements to the sanctuary, including 17 custom designed stained glass windows depicting the biblical narrative and the major figures of the Protestant Reformation. She was instrumental in securing a valuable and increasingly rare collection of hand-made needle art hanging in the church in the sanctuary and in McFadden Hall, all designed specifically for First Presbyterian.



She was a proud graduate of Mississippi State College for Women (now Mississippi University for Women) and remained active in support for the university until full retirement.



She was a dedicated supporter of the Tupelo Public Schools, and worked especially hard to make a smooth transition to an integrated system.



She was preceded in death by her son, Perry K. Thomas III.



She is survived by three children, Mike Thomas (Daintry) of Tupelo; Kathryn Ann Thomas McNally (Gary) of Brentwood, TN; and Dr. Glenn Thomas (Mary) of Tupelo, as well as a special life-long relationship with Albert Carapetian (Jeannie) of Diamondhead, MS. She also is survived by her daughter-in-law Judy Thomas, her sister, Bea Ann Ruff Luckett (Hugh) of Tupelo, her sister-in-law Frances Ruff, and her grandchildren Ginger, PK, Roxie, Ruff, Field, Natalie, Van, Maggie and Edie; several great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and the dedicated and loyal staff of sitters: Essie Edison, Ethel McKinney, Mae Patton, Bernice Sneed, Carolyn Ford, Lois Berry, Sue Brown, and Roxie McAlister.



Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be 1-3 p.m. prior to the funeral Monday in McFadden Hall at First Presbyterian. Interment will be in Glenwood Cemetery.



Pall bearers will be PK Thomas IV, Ruff Thomas, Field Thomas, Van Thomas, Andy Luckett and Tre? Luckett.



W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.



In lieu of flowers and food, the family requests donations be made to First Presbyterian Church, 400 West Jefferson St., Tupelo 38804; Tupelo-Lee County Humane Society, PO Box 1185, Tupelo, MS 38802, or Sanctuary Hospice House, 5159 West Main St., Tupelo, MS 38801.