Esther "Raye" Thomas

Funeral services for Esther "Raye" Thomas, 89, will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport, Louisiana. Burial will follow at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4000 Meriwether Rd., in Shreveport. A visitation will be held Friday, March 25, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Officiating the service will be Pastor Murray Hodge. Esther "Raye" Thomas was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, September 27, 1932 to James and Vivian Dickerson. Surrounded by her loving family and friends, she passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord, March 20, 2022. Raye was a resident of Shreveport, and a member of Summer Grove Baptist Church. She worked at Security Industrial Insurance Company for most of her life and retired in 1994. She loved to work outside in the garden and in the flowers. Raye and husband, Willie J. Thomas met at the Washington Youree Hotel where they both worked. They married in July 1951, and were married 56 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Willie J. Thomas; sisters, Bonnie Farmer, Carolyn Bryant, Audrey Bruce, Catherine Fay, and twin brother, James Marvin "Jay" Dickerson. Left to cherish her memory is her daughter; Judy Sanford and husband, Curtis; sons, Michael Thomas and wife, Michelle, and Robin Thomas and wife, Debbie; grandchildren, Melissa Thomas, Elliot Thomas, Sabrina Briggs and husband, Stephen, and Thomas Sanford; great-grandchildren, Nathan and Natalie Briggs, and Kaydee Mays; brother, Jerry Dickerson; and numerous nieces and nephews. A special thanks to everyone involved in Christus Hospice who has cared for and supported the family over the past few months. Honoring Raye as pallbearers will be Robin Thomas, Michael Thomas, Elliot Thomas, Thomas Sanford, Curtis Sanford, and Stephen Briggs. Serving as honorary pallbearer will be Jerry Dickerson. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made in her name to the charity of their choice.