Obituary of Mary M. Thomas

Mary M. Thomas, 82, of Fairfield Township died peacefully in her sleep at the Cumberland Manor in Hopewell Twp. on Monday, March 24, 2014 following an extended illness. Born in Bridgeton to the late Felix T. Ridgway and Thelma Brown Ridgway, she was a Fairfield Twp. resident most of her life. Prior to her retirement, she enjoyed working at Airwork Corp. in Millville in administrative support where she had a variety of diverse responsibilities. Mary was of the AME Methodist faith and a member of the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape Indians. She was an animal lover who enjoyed watching soap operas, football and Olympic sports. She was also an avid reader of novels and she loved to garden. Surviving are her daughter-in-law, Gwendolyn Correne Thomas of Millville; three grandchildren, Takeena L. Thomas-Deas and her husband Joseph of Somerville, James Brent Thomas, Jr. of Millville, and Bettye Anne Griffin of Trenton; a great-grandson, Zaelan Joseph Deas; a close friend, Mattie Green of Bridgeton; her former husband, James "Jimmy" DeGross Thomas and a host of other family members and friends. She was preceded in death by two sons, James Brent Thomas, Sr. and Bryan Robert Thomas and a brother, "Sonny" Ridgway. Graveside funeral services will be held at Gouldtown Cemetery in Fairfield Township on Wednesday, April 2nd at 1 PM where the interment will follow the services. Arrangements are under the direction of the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME, Upper Deerfield Township. Written condolences can be sent to the family at www.padgettfuneralhomes.com