To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Arkansas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Arkansas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 1/12/22 • Approved: 1/13/22 • Last Updated: 1/15/22 • R1412256-G1181677-S3
Ashley Chester
Sept 28, 1917 - Jan 30, 2011
Parents:
Harry Irving Thomas, Bertha Mae Broom
Eleanor Mary
Dec 19, 1916 - Jan 2022
Married Apr 5, 1941
*Obituary
Obituary for Eleanor Mary Niffenegger Thomas
Eleanor Mary Niffenegger Thomas was born December 19, 1916 in Michigan. The youngest of eight children born to John and Mary Niffenegger, she grew up on an orchard farm eating fruits and vegetables which remained her regular diet for all of her 105 years. She graduated from Michael Reese School of Nursing as an RN, then attended the University of Michigan for her Public Health Nurse Certification. While working in Chicago she met her future husband at church. They married in 1941 and were married for 69 years. While Ashley served five years in the Army in Europe she worked as a Public Health Nurse and caregiver for her parents. For ten years, they owned and operated a restaurant in South Haven. After his retirement from teaching they moved to Northwest Arkansas where they were involved in their church and local organizations. In 2004 Ashley and Eleanor moved to Searcy to be near friends. They were members of First Presbyterian Church. Her sharp mind and ready wit were enjoyed by all who knew her.
Eleanor is survived by nieces and nephews and a host of friends. A special note of appreciation for her caregiver and friend, Carolyn Bowman.
With a positive outlook on life, strong interest in education and generous spirit the Thomases encouraged and assisted many young people in attending college. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Eleanor Thomas Nursing Scholarship at Harding University [Box 12238, Harding University, Searcy, AR 72149] or to the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, AR.
A graveside service will be held at Center Hill Presbyterian Cemetery on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. Arrangements entrusted to Powell Funeral Home, Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net.
Photo submitted by Roger & Dawn Gray:
roger@white-tiger.org
Contributed on 1/12/22 by hawkinsdonna
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 1412256