Alphatique Col Thomas

Graveside services and interment for Alphatique Cole Thomas, 95, Athens, Texas, formerly of Ashdown are scheduled for 12 noon, Thursday at Ashdown Cemetery in Ashdown with Rev. Jim Cross officiating. Mrs. Thomas died September 5, 2010. She was born May 12, 1915 in Ben Wheeler to the late Verner H.L. and Verlie Marable Cole. Following graduation from Stephen F. Austin University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master's of Education degree, she began a teaching career which spanned over 30 years. She retired from Odessa Independent School District after a 25 year tenure and moved to Athens in 1983. She was registered in Who's Who American Teacher. Mrs. Thomas was an active member of First United Methodist Church and diligently worked with the arts and crafts group preparing for the annual bazaar. Alphatique was a lifetime member of the Henderson County Literary Club and held memberships in the Alpha Psi Omega Sorority, Order of the Eastern Star and Henderson County Art Club. She was preceded in death by her husband R. Coker Thomas former prosecuting attorney for the 9th Juris District of Arkansas who was killed in the line of duty in 1955,also brother Nile Cole and sister Willie Ruth Peebles. Survivors include her son Richard Coker, II and wife Vicky, Kansas City, daughter Ruth Elizabeth Thomas and husband Terrence Philp, Ben Wheeler, grandchildren, Heather Thomas, Hilary Thomas, Sean Thomas and wife Lisa, great grandchildren, Paige Thomas and Tori Thomas. In lieu of flowers, family request memorial gifts be made to First United Methodist Church, Bazaar or Perpetual Care Fund, P O Box 911, Athens, Texas 75751.