Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, July 2, at First Christian Church for Janice L. Caudle Thomas.
Thomas, 67, passed away peacefully at home among her family and friends Friday, June 24, 2016.
She was born Oct. 20, 1948, in Seminole, Texas, to Brodie Burle and Anna Kate Caudle. She was raised in Hobbs and graduated from Hobbs High School in 1967.
Janice touched lives and made lifelong friends everywhere she made her home, including Missoula, Mont., Tucson, Ariz., and the Mogollon Mountains.
On Jan. 27, 1977, she married James Thomas in Albuquerque, and the couple moved to Artesia later that year.
Janice worked as a homemaker, a Head Start teacher, and a substitute teacher, and was involved in the First Offenders Program. She eventually returned to college and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, graduating from Eastern New Mexico University in 1996. She dedicated herself to helping those in need and worked for various counseling agencies in the area, most recently serving on the board of the Artesia Public Library.
Janice was kind, compassionate and full of courage, generosity, strength and laughter. She loved children and her family dearly. She was an avid reader, talented writer, and outstanding cook.
Survivors include her husband, James, of the home; daughter Jennifer Thomas of Roswell; sister Jean Patanella of Anaheim, Calif.; brother Brodie L. Caudle of Tucson; nieces Stacie Turpen of Dexter, Debbie Evans and Amber Wells, both of Houston, Texas, Kyra McLaughlin of Artesia, and Michele Matsubara of Anaheim; nephews Joe Cain of Fort Campbell, Ky., Michael Thomas of Amarillo, Texas, Brodie Stark of Anaheim, and Steven Thomas of Roswell; and a large community of friends, all of whom she viewed as an extension of her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws Pat and Gray Thomas; brothers- and sisters-in-law Gerry, Peggy, Robert and Linda Thomas; and her beloved niece Juliet Caudle.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Children’s Miracle Network, Ronald McDonald House, or a charity of choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Terpening & Son Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed online at www.artesiafunerals.com.
