Marlene (Fails) Thomas

On October 17, 2015, our Mom and Mamaw, Marlene Thomas retired from work on this Earth. Though we have no doubt that her work will continue while in heaven, she will be surely missed here.
Marlene (Fails) Thomas was born on September 25, 1933 to Verda and Jessie Fails in Megargel, TX. She was the 3rd child of 8. She worked hard her whole life as a homemaker, mother and Mamaw. (And this is something she proved to her grandkids when they once claimed she was “retired.”) She was baptized in Megargel, TX, on July 10, 1949.
The first time she ever laid eyes on Robert “Bob” Thomas, she knew she had met her future husband. They were married in Megargel, TX, on August 17, 1952. Bob borrowed $20 from Marlene to get to Wichita Falls, TX, and thus the wonderful 44 year adventure began. After they were relocated to the beautiful oasis of Big Lake, TX, they began their family. They soon moved to Crane, TX, where they lived for 24 years. They had four children and provided them with a comfortable and happy life. Marlene and Bob enjoyed traveling in their travel trailer, even if their children were fighting like cats and dogs.
They moved to Norman, OK, in 1980. Marlene became an active member of the Alameda Church of Christ where she made many life-long friends. She was an excellent painter, quilter, gardener, and cook.
She had the biggest and wildest group of grandchildren who loved her dearly and made some of the best memories at her home in Norman.
Marlene was met at heaven’s gates by her parents, husband, two brothers and two sisters.
She is survived by 4 children and their spouses: Karen and Lester Bates of Crane, TX, Caroline and Jerry McGee of Ballinger, TX, Jay and Lori Thomas of Norman, OK, and Kristi and Peter Jeffrey of El Reno, OK; 3 siblings and their spouses: Jeanne and Handel Hall, Donella and Rex Davis, Carol and Larry Gordon; 14 Grandchildren: Leslie Bates (Trevor) Watson, Shelly Bates, Haylea Bates Browning, Jerry Wain (Cassidy) McGee, Tyler Ross (Steffanee) McGee, Travis Jay (Mikinzie) McGee, Alex Nichole Thomas, Ethan Jay Thomas, Creed Thomas, Robert Weston Shepherd, Chase Thomas Jeffrey, Anna Elizabeth Jeffrey, Abby Grace Jeffrey, and Emma Kate Jeffrey; 10 great-grandchildren.