Memorial Services for Kathy Thomas, Age 76 of Springfield, Missouri (originally of Wright County, Missouri) will be held on Saturday, January 17th, 2026 at The Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mansfield, Missouri beginning at 2 PM. Burial will be in The Mansfield Cemetery.
Elizabeth “Kathy” Kathlene (Henderson) Thomas, daughter of the late Forest Henderson and Anna Young, was born May 1, 1949, in Springfield, Missouri, and departed this life January 8, 2026, at her home in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 76 years, 8 months, and 7 days.
Kathy, a longtime resident of Springfield, passed away leaving a legacy of music, laughter, and love. Raised in Wright County, Kathy attended school in Hartville and Mansfield and raised her daughter Carla in Mansfield before settling in Springfield. She was a familiar, friendly face to many in Springfield, having spent much of her career as a waitress at Anton’s Coffee Shop.
Kathy’s life was a song. She found her perfect duet partner in Lowell Thomas after meeting him at a Mansfield jam session; the two were married on August 7, 1987. Whether she was writing songs or singing with Lowell or her children, music was her constant companion. Beyond the music, Kathy was a woman of great pride and joy. She kept a pristine home and never stepped out, even just to the mailbox, without looking her absolute best. To Kathy, family was everything, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of her life. In her spare time, she enjoyed crochet. She loved to laugh and joke; her quick wit was the highlight of any conversation. To know her was to love her.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Forest Henderson and Anna Martin, four sisters, Mary Lloyd, Melba Coday, Kay Woodman, and Cheri Mckenzie, and two brothers, Dennis Hurst, and Kenneth Henderson.
She is survived by her husband, Lowell Thomas of the home, four daughters, Carla Hayes and husband, Dirk, Alisha Thomas, Patty Mabe and husband, Tim, Jewel Sorenson, one son, Don Thomas and wife, Darlene, one sister, Wilda Taylor and husband, Ken, nine grandchildren, Ryan, Rachel, Breanna, Brandon, Amber, Krystal, Jason, Jeremy, and Justin, and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Kathy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and will always cherish the many memories spent together.
Memorial contributions can be made in Memory of Kathy Thomas to the American Heart Association or to Shriners Hospital for Children by clicking the link below, or drop them off in person at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home in Mansfield, or by mail to 315 N. Main St., Mountain Grove, Missouri, 65711.
