Sadie Grezaffi Thomas

Sadie Grezaffi Thomas died Saturday, July 21, 2012. She was preceded in death by her parents, Luke and Tina Grezaffi, her three brothers, Joe, Andrew and Luke Jr. Grezaffi and her husband of 68 years, Charles F. “Red” Thomas. She would have been 90 years old September 27, 2012. Mrs. Thomas lived a very full and active life as a business woman and an educator but most especially as a loving wife, parent and grandparent. She is survived by her nine children, Chuck Thomas and Pat, Elizabeth Walsh and Dan, Tina Stroud and Gilbert, Luke Thomas and Beth, Tim Thomas and Vicky, Mary Pracchia and John, Doris Stockwell and C.L., Nancy Teegardin and Joe, and Mike Thomas and Tammy; 23 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren as well as daughter-in-law, Patsy A. Thomas. Sadie Thomas grew up in Batchelor, Louisiana in upper Pointe Coupee Parish where she was a talented student-athlete. She earned an undergraduate degree in Home Economics at the Louisiana State Normal School, now Northwestern State University. Following graduation she worked briefly for the Extension Service in Baton Rouge before marrying in August of 1943. After World War II she and her family settled in Natchitoches. Later in the 1960’s, while raising her nine children, Mrs. Thomas earned a Master of Science degree. Thomas was a pioneer business woman in the sixties when she owned and operated a small fabric and notions shop that over the course of about 5 years she expanded to include carpets and custom made draperies. After she sold her business she accepted a position as teacher and director of the pre-school in the Home Economics Department at Northwestern, taught undergraduate classes and supervised graduate early childhood education students until her retirement. As much as she loved her business and education careers her true joy in life centered on her family. She took great pride in all nine of her children and their accomplishments but her grandchildren were the light of her life. She traveled the country and beyond to babysit, to attend dance programs, ball games, grandparents’ day and just to play with them. She was thrilled when some chose to attend NSU and she had them close at hand for birthday dinners, to help with special projects or just to sit up late at night to discuss issues and tell stories. Her great grandchildren added a whole new layer of joy. The family would like to thank long time family friends and neighbors Paul and Lydia Keyser for their many kindnesses as well as her caregivers Connie Wafer, Nettie Adams and Clementine Mitchell. Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 24, 2012, at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches from 9:00 – 11:15 A.M.; a rosary will be said at 10:30. A funeral mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Natchitoches will be held at 11:30 followed by a graveside service at the Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be good friend Paul Keyser and her grandsons Gilbert Stroud III, Hank Thomas, Mathew Thomas, Joseph Teegardin, Andrew Thomas, Taylor Thomas, and Michael Thomas; John Walsh and Michael Finders will serve as honorary pallbearers. The Thomas family requests in lieu of flowers, donations are made to the Charles F. and Sadie G. Thomas Scholarship fund through the NSU Foundation, Alumni Center, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA 71457 or a charity of your choice.