Gladys Mae Thomas

Gladys M. Thomas, known as Corky, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away on February 19, 2024, in Ashburn, Virginia. She was weeks short of her 94th birthday.

Born in Fargo, North Dakota in 1930 to the late Irene Raen, and Alva Boner, she later moved to Seattle, Washington where she graduated from Roosevelt High School, and the University of Washington. She also lived in Walla Walla, Spokane, and Tacoma, Washington, as well as Levittown, Pennsylvania, and Springfield, Locust Grove, and Ashburn, Virginia. Married to Donald Thomas, She raised 3 sons and a daughter.

She retired from the Fairfax County Public Schools in 1987, having been the Physical Education teacher at both Rose Hill and Clermont Elementary schools, where she was known to put on elaborate tumbling shows, field days, and organized swimming lessons and competitive track teams for her students, She received an “Outstanding Teacher of America” award, and her program was selected as a “National Physical Fitness Demonstration School” from 1974 – 76. After retiring from FCPS, she was a travel agent for Pan American World Airlines.

A member of many social and civic organizations, she was a Cub Scout Leader, President of the North Springfield Little league Auxiliary, President of the Braddock Road Boys and Girls Club, President of the Women’s Association of the Levittown Congregational Church, an active member of the Fairfax County Retired Educators Association, and Program Lead for the local chapter of the AARP. She also served in several leadership capacities in the Lioness Club, as well as acting in the Ashby Pond Players Group.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Thomas, and her son David Thomas. She is survived by her children Howard Thomas, of Jeffersonton, Virginia (Karen), Tom Thomas of Redding, California (Betty),Cindy Michaels of Oakdale, Pennsylvania (Frank); 9 Grandchildren, Cassidy Thomas, Zach Thomas, Raya Thomas, Amanda Michaels, Matthew Thomas, Kurtis Michaels, Emily Thomas, and Morgan Thomas, as well as 9 great-grandchildren.

The family will be receiving visitors from 1 to 3 PM on March 9th at the Music Classroom in the Ashby Ponds Senior Living Center in Ashburn, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.