Mary Lewis Kluttz Thomas

Mary Lewis Kluttz Thomas, born August 27, 1934 in Albemarle, North Carolina, to the late Heath Kluttz and Mary Few Kluttz passed away on September 17, 2017 at The Village of Brookwood in Burlington, North Carolina.

Lewis married James Carl Thomas of Raleigh, North Carolina on August 7, 1959 after meeting while teaching school together.

Lewis graduated from North Carolina Women’s College (now UNC Greensboro) with a degree in Home Economics in 1956 and taught at various junior and senior high schools in the region until 1962. She went on to receive a Master’s Degree in education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1962, they moved to Colorado where she eventually became the Director of the Preschool at the United States Air Force Academy. In 1981, she moved to Greenville, North Carolina where became a valued employee and the Head of Accounting for Fred Webb, Inc. until the mid 1990s. In 1996, Lewis realized her dream of retiring to Ocracoke Island.

Lewis had a voracious appetite for reading, quilting, and other craft projects. One example of this passion is that over 100 of her children, grandchildren, and numerous relatives wake up on Christmas morning to stockings she knitted. She avidly read books, painted, and quilted and was a member of the Ocracoke Quilting Society while living on her beloved island of Ocracoke. Lewis was known for being a person that was very generous, thoughtful, and humble throughout her life.

Mary Lewis is survived by her husband, Lt. Col (ret) USAF J.C. Thomas, currently living in Burlington, North Carolina as well as her sister, Sallie Pulliam in Owensboro, Kentucky. She is also survived by her children: Dr. Heath Thomas (Jackie) from Pennsylvania, Jonathan Thomas (Linda) from Texas, James Thomas (Debbie) from California, Lewis Anne Deputy (John) from Indiana and Aaron (Renee) Thomas from North Carolina.

Lewis Thomas is also survived by 15 grandchildren who she adored and doted upon when given the opportunity. She leaves behind many acquaintances that will miss her smile and personality.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at The Village of Brookwood in Burlington, North Carolina at 2:00 p.m. on October 28, 2017. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ocracoke Preservation Society at 49 Water Plant Road, Ocracoke, NC 27960.

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