Grace L. Oakley (Johnson) Thomas

Grace L. Oakley Thomas, 90, of Houston, passed away Wednesday, August 14, 2019.

She was born April 6, 1929 in Washington, a daughter of Chester and Caroline Price Johnson.

Mrs. Thomas was a graduate of Chartiers High School.

Grace was a member of the Westland Baptist Church, Westland and became member of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Canonsburg in 1982.  She was an active church member, serving in many capacities including; secretary, Sunday School Teacher, youth leader and choir member.

Mrs. Thomas worked as a social worker for the Pennsylvania State Welfare Office.

Grace was a member of the Washington Branch of the NAACP, volunteered for Meals on Wheels and was active in other community activities.

She enjoyed playing the piano, bowling in her younger years and always wrote words of wisdom to her family members.

She was married twice, first to Edward M. Oakley Jr. then to Fred Thomas.  Both husbands are deceased.

Surviving are five children, Charles “Chas” Thomas (Leatrice) of Canonsburg, Kevin “KO” Oakley of Washington, Rodney Oakley of Houston, Tina Oakley of Canonsburg and Gerondilyn “Candy” Oakley of Carnegie; a host of grand, great and great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Deceased in addition to her parents and husbands are, four children, C. Darlene Oakley, Sheldon Thomas, Edward “Bolt” Oakley and Charmayne Gordon; a grandson, Thomas Oakley; a brother, Chester “Dutch” Johnson; and a sister, Bettie Johnson.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 Monday in the McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, Owner/Supervisor, 27 Cherry Ave., Houston, PA 15342.  Additional visitation will be held from 10 to 11:00 a.m., the time of service on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 in the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 120 Greenside Ave., Canonsburg, with Rev. Anita Lovell officiating.   Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray.

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