Obituary of Dorothy Ann Thomas

Dorothy Ann (Cauley) Thomas

1935 - 2023

Dorothy Ann (Cauley) Thomas joined her husband Richard M. Thomas Sr. in Glory on August 2, 2023.   Dorothy’s husband Richard M. Thomas Sr. passed away a few months earlier on November 2, 2022 at their home in Reston, VA, holding his youngest daughter Andrea’s hand.  Dorothy’s sisters Janie and Margie Cauley both preceded her.  Dorothy is survived by her four children Richard Marvin Thomas Jr., Patricia Anna Thomas, Paul Andrew Thomas, Andrea Helen Wright and ten grandchildren.

Dorothy and her sisters shared the experience as young girls of living at the Order of the United American Mechanics Orphanage near Lexington, NC; all three had nothing but positive memories of life and gratitude for what they learned there.  Richard and Dorothy met as high school sweet hearts in Havelock, NC and spent the rest of their lives as man and wife. Dorothy was Richard’s first and only love, and he loved her deeply and faithfully to his very last day.  He focused most of his last several years on ensuring the best possible long-term care for Dorothy.

Dorothy’s family will always remember great home cooked meals, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas. She raised her four children often alone, as Richard was frequently stationed to overseas military posts.  She always ensured her children were dressed appropriately for each season, sometimes making the clothes herself.  Christmas and Easter were always celebrated with full decorations and Easter baskets and each Easter, as a symbol of new life in Jesus, she would make sure each child had something new to wear. 

Despite battles with Alzheimer’s and emotional health, Dorothy’s faith in Jesus Christ grew only stronger in her final years.  She is now dancing in heaven with Richard!

Richard and Dorothy’s life together is chronicled in the book Around the World and Back – The Adventures of Richard Marvin Thomas. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BLMFTWW6/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title