Alta Vivian Thomas

COVID-19 UPDATE: Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services are complying with the state of local gatherings guidelines. Please contact us if you have any questions. Arrangements to be announced. Age 94, of Flint, passed away Friday, June 25, 2021, at McLaren Flint with her family by her side. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services in Mt. Morris. Pastor Brian Sutherland to officiate with burial to follow at Sunset Hills Cemetery. Alta’s family will be present to receive friends from 11:00 am until the time of service at 2:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Colonial Hills Baptist Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy can be placed on Alta’s tribute page at martinfuneralhome.com. Alta was born in Croswell, Michigan, on August 12, 1926, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Homer J. and Blanche (Sample) Watson. Educated locally, Alta graduated from Croswell High School with the Class of 1944. Alta was a pen pal to the local WWII men and would continuously write letters of encouragement to Lyle Thomas. Upon his return to the states, the two dated, fell in love, and were united in marriage on February 28, 1948. Alta was a Key Punch Operator for Turnstedt for over 25 years until her retirement in 1982, when she decided she wanted to spend her winters in Florida. As a member of Colonial Hills Baptist Church since 1956, Alta ran the church nursery for over 25 years. The teenagers of the church would always say she was the nicest lady they had ever met as she would always take the time to listen to them tell their stories. Alta was an amazing woman, who at the age of 94 was looking up hymns on iTunes and teaching her daughter how to use Facebook. Traveling to see the lighthouses was one of her favorite pastimes; she was a supporter of the lighthouse Society and the Smokey Mountain Society. Her grandchildren remember how she took the time to do something special with them every Saturday. In her free time, Alta enjoyed crocheting, reading, completing crossword puzzles and word searches; listening to gospel, and old county music. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. Alta leaves to cherish her memory her children: Rodney and wife, Denice Thomas, Bruce Thomas and special friend, Dawn VanZandt, Mark Thomas, Patricia and husband, James Voorheis; grandchildren: Kirsten and husband, Brian Love, Matthew Thomas, Tonya Blackwell, Terry Bentley, Tony and wife, Billie Jean Bentley, Trisha and husband, Robert Trenaman, Mandy Cremer; Isabelle and Ian Bentley; great-grandchildren: Brandon, Audrey, Erica Love, Christopher, Brenna Lewicki, Ashley Bentley, Dakota and Ravyn Germain; several relatives. Alta was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Lyle Thomas; parents; and brother, Stanley Watson.