Meral Thomas

Funeral Services at Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home Chapel, Walters, Thursday, August 11 at 10:00 a.m., Rev. Charlie Kriss and Rev. Phillip Beard officiating with burial in the Walters Cemetery.

Florene Meraline “Meral” (Costen) Thomas was born August 24, 1914, in Tillman County west of Chattanooga, OK, to John and Nancy Emmaline “Emmy” (Lewis) Costen and went to be with her Lord on August 8, 2016, in Lawton, OK at the age of 101 years, 11 months and 15 days.

Meral grew up in Tillman County, Ryan, Ringling and in Cotton County where the family settled in the Ahpeatone community. She married Lester Thomas on December 23, 1933 in Walters. They lived in the Ahpeatone and Emerson communities west of Walters where they farmed until health problems caused them to move to Walters in 2001. Mrs. Thomas was a wife, mother, homemaker and a helpmate to her husband. She enjoyed cooking and having friends and family visit.

The coffee pot was always on and usually something delicious was served with the coffee. She was an active member of Emmerson Baptist Church for many years. She was involved in WMU, served as church clerk and taught Sunday School for many years. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother.

She is survived by 2 daughters and a son-in-law, Bob and Judith “Judy” Quickle and Glenda Garison all of Walters; 2 grandsons, Greg and Shanci Garison of Atoka, OK, Brad and Charisa Garison of Walters; 2 step-grandsons, David Garison of Interlachen, FL, and Joe Dan Garison of Wichita Falls, TX; 4 great grandchildren, Conner, Abby, and Cody Garison of Atoka, OK and Aubrey Garison Nance and husband Nick of Walters; one fifth generation, great-great grandchild, Ryker Garison Nance of Walters; 2 step-great grandchildren, Andrew Garison of Katy, TX and Gabriel Garison of Wichita Falls; many extended family members and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lester; 4 brothers, Clyde, Tommy, Houston and Polk Costen; 5 sisters, Ena Harris, Willie Mitchell, Estaline Smith, Geraldine McCoy and Bell Blankenship.

Memorial contributions can be made to: Faith Hospice, 1836 NW 52nd St., Lawton, OK 73505 or Cedar Crest Manor, 1700 NW Ft. Sill Blvd., Lawton, OK 73507.