THOMAS, ARDELLE PARRY, May 22, 1916 – January 14, 2008

GILBERT, AZ. – Ardelle Parry Thomas, 91,of Malad City, Idaho died January 14, 2008 surrounded in love by her family.

Ardelle was born in Malad on May 22, 1916 and graduated from Malad High School with the class of 1933. She attended Utah State University and obtained her teaching certificate from Idaho State University’s Southern Branch. After certification she taught school in Samaria, Idaho.

She married Earl J. Thomas for time and all eternity in the Logan, Utah Temple on December 21, 1939. She and Earl traveled around the country, first with the Civilian Conservation Corps in Idaho and Wyoming, and then to various Army bases until Earl deployed to the Pacific for the duration of World War II.

When the war ended, Ardelle and Earl began their family and started on a path that would lead from Boise, Idaho to Klamath Falls, OR., to California and finally to Washington, D.C., where they made their home for the next 25 years.

Ardelle’s love for her family kept her coming back to the Malad Valley nearly every year for visits with relatives and friends. Her dedication and service to her family brought her great joy. Her warm sense of humor and unpretentious ways drew people to her and continued to expand her circle of friends until the end. It was her great spirit and ability to love that will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George K. and Mary Jane Jones Parry, her husband, Earl J. Thomas, two brothers, George Wesley Parry and Daniel Lamonte Parry of Malad, two sisters and their husbands, Vadis and brother-in-law, Hazen Gilgen of Malad, Sara and brother-in-law, Keith Moss of Fielding, Utah; brother-in-law, Dan Kent of Fielding, Utah, and her beloved son-in-law, Dennis M. Everton, M.D., of Mesa, AZ.

She is survived by an uncle, Max Jones of Reno, NV; brother, Thomas J. Parry and wife, Emo Lou of Malad; two sisters, Jeanine Kent of Fielding, UT and Norine and husband, James Kent of Spokane, WA; a son, James B. Thomas and wife, Sue of Jacksonville, N.C.; and a daughter, Suzi J. Everton of Gilbert, AZ; seven grandchildren, Jenny Thomas and Jake Thomas of Jacksonville, N.C., Jared and wife, Jill Everton, Sarah and husband, Scott Holt, Emiily and husband, Aaron Call, Michael Everton and Rachel Everton, all of Gilbert, AZ; and nine great grandchildren, Dallin, Zachary, Ellie, Audrey Everton, Sophie, Gracie, Maggie and Lillie Holt, Hannah Call; and many precious nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Funeral services will be held January 19, 2008 in the Malad LDS Sixth Ward Chapel. Burial will follow in the Malad City Cemetery.