Marianne H. Thomas

In Loving Memory of

Marianne Hollida Thomas

  Sunrise

July 1, 1942

Sunset

November 29, 2024

Our beautiful, sweet, strong, and intelligent wife, mother, grandmother, and sister was born in Memphis, Tennessee on July 1, 1942. She was the fourth child of nine children. As a very young adult, she settled in Woolmarket, Mississippi when she married her first husband, Kenneth Gene Smith, where she raised her three children. During her early years in Woolmarket she was active in various volunteer positions including the Mississippi State University Extension Service where she went into the homes of young wives and taught them the techniques and safety of canning and preserving foods, The Boy Scouts of America, The Girl Scouts of America and, the PTA at Woolmarket Elementary where all three of her children attended. She found joy in sewing, crocheting, Artex painting, crafting ceramics, gardening the family acreage, and canning and preserving the harvests. Years later, she enjoyed volunteering with Back Bay Mission where volunteers strive to strengthen neighborhoods, seek justice, and transform lives, Interfaith Hospitality Network where churches along the Mississippi Gulf Coast share a weekly rotation of providing shelter, meals and support for homeless families and individuals, and Mental Health Association of South Mississippi that focuses on supporting and empowering people who experience mental health challenges.

 Once her children were well-established in school, she pursued a college education at Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College, Jefferson Davis Campus and soon began a fulfilling career, embracing new opportunities in the next chapter of her life working as a tax preparer for H&R Block and then Jackson Hewitt. It wasn’t long before both her intelligence and work ethic were recognized, and she accepted an offer to become the Regional Manager for Jackson Hewitt. After many years with these two companies, she joined Piltz, Williams, LaRosa & Company in Biloxi, where she worked until her early retirement.

 In 1994, while doing one of the things that she loved most, dancing, she met David Ray Thomas (Dave), and they married in February 1995. They thoroughly enjoyed life to the full. They loved going out dancing, hosting fish frys at their home in Woolmarket and participating in many, many family functions. She and Dave would have soon celebrated their 30th anniversary.

 Marianne was preceded in death by her oldest son, Kevin Laine Smith; parents, Charles Rodney Hollida and Frances Teague Ivy; brothers, Bobby Joe Hollida, Troy Mitchell Ivy, Roy Michael Ivy and David Henry Ivy; sisters, Betty Joyce Dodson and Nina Frances Leatherwood.

 Our beautiful Marianne is survived by her husband, David Ray Thomas of Woolmarket, MS; daughter, Marina Smith Crisler (Chris) of Cornelia, GA; son, Leslie Carlton Smith (Kimberly) of Woolmarket, MS; step-daughter, Lisa Diane Cameron (Joey) of Verona, KY; sisters, Sandra Jane Peterson and Vicki Sue Hudson of Woolmarket, MS.

 She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

 A special thanks to the many family members and friends and the members of Biloxi First United Methodist Church, where Marianne was a member, who so graciously provided meals in the last few months. Also, a special thanks to SAAD Healthcare Hospice for the tender care that they provided during the last few months.

 A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 5 at 11:00 at Biloxi First United Methodist Church, 14220 Shriners Boulevard, Biloxi, MS with visitation from 10:00–11:00, Repass to follow the funeral service. 

 In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution to one of the following organizations: Back Bay Mission, PO Box 288, Biloxi, MS 39533, Mental Health Association of South Mississippi, PO Box 7329, Gulfport, MS 39506 or Climb CDC, 1526 Mills Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is honored to serve the Thomas Family.