Barbara A. Thomas

Barbara was born on May 10, 1939, to Ethel and Elmer McCormick in Somers Point, New Jersey. She went home to meet the Lord on October 19, 2023, in Ankeny, Iowa. A military burial will take place at a later date.

Barbara attended Pleasantville and Ocean City High Schools in New Jersey. She entered the US Army, stationed at Letterman Army Hospital as a Medical Assistant. Barbara met and married Bernard Thomas, a U.S. Air Force member in Red Bluff California. During her marriage she visited numerous places; including the Azores, New Mexico, and many places in the Midwest. Barbara then pursued a career in nursing by attending University of South Dakota, Presbyterian Hospital, Albuquerque, and the School of Nursing. After her studies she returned to New Jersey to pursue a career with Tupperware. She quickly became one of the top salespeople with Tupperware in the United States and Canada. In 2006, she moved to Knoxville, Iowa to help support her son who is a veteran of the US Air Force. Barbara was also a cancer survivor and other medical issues, some of which were the result of Military Service at Ft. McClellan Ala. 

Barbara is survived by her sisters, Patricia Shute of Williamstown, New Jersey and Jean Pierce of Burlington, Massachusetts; brother, Donald of Indian Land, South Carolina; sons, Keith and Stephen; stepsons, Mike, Rickey, Donald, David, and Dennis;  a daughter she adopted as her own two years ago, Rebecca; granddaughter, Cencia; and three great grandchildren, Aliceyona, Luna, and King all of whom she adored very much. 

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Sonny, David, and Douglas; husbands, Bill and Robert; and two nieces, Kathy and Vicky.

Barbara was always willing to help those in need. She had an exceedingly kind a generous heart. She was a blessing to so many people and will be dearly missed by all. “It’s never goodbye. It’s until we meet again.”