Her family’s silent angel, Ms. Kelly Renae Thomas, 34, stepped into God’s eternal embrace on July 4, 2025.
Born on Jan. 17, 1991, in Nassawadox, Kelly was the beloved daughter of Bruce Edward Thomas and Lorie Linton Thomas, of Saxis. Though her time here on Earth was short, she inspired all who knew her with her quiet strength and incredible resilience.
Kelly was a warrior; battling a chronic disability and many health complications throughout the duration of her life. She was blessed with loving parents that ensured she was always cared for at home and never wanted for anything.
Kelly loved her family and had them all wrapped around her little finger. Although she was nonverbal, Kelly could tell you exactly what she was thinking or feeling with her famous facial expressions. Her smile could light up an entire room, and if she was not happy, she was very quick to let you know. Kelly loved music, bright colors, and movement. While she enjoyed “Barney,” “The Wiggles,” and “Frozen” over the years, her guilty pleasure was always music videos from the 90s. Kelly also enjoyed a good, soft fleece blanket, of which she had many.
While Kelly had many special friends, she had a very special bond with Mrs. Barb Bugar. Barb came into Kelly’s life as her teacher but stayed as a lifelong friend. Kelly very much enjoyed Barb’s visits; Barb would often read her stories and help her make special crafts for her family. Kelly was also blessed enough to have many wonderful nurses and caretakers throughout her life. Among them was Mrs. Beth Sanders, who became a close family friend. Beth was always a dedicated advocate for Kelly and provided immeasurable support to her family, especially to Kelly’s mother.
Kelly’s presence here on Earth was intentional by God. He made her perfect in His image and entrusted her to a family who loved her irrevocably. To know Kelly was to love her because she had a way of capturing your heart without even trying. Her family feels incredibly honored that God chose them to be her protectors. While she will be profoundly missed, it is without doubt that she is standing in God’s presence with a whole, perfect, brand-new body.
In addition to her parents, Kelly is survived by her grandmother, Elizabeth Mcgee (Joe), of Withams; her sister, Krista Kilmon (Curt), of Parksley; and her brother, Joshua Voss (Patricia), of Mears. She also leaves behind an uncle, Donald Lee Thomas, of Saxis; an aunt, Martha Jane Linton, of Saxis; two nephews, Jordan Kilmon and Asher Voss; a niece, Alanna Woods; special friends, Barb Bugar and Beth Sanders; and many other extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Donald Thomas; maternal grandparents, Lawrence and Madeline Linton; an uncle, Kefford Linton; and a cousin, Katelynn Sterling.
A funeral service was held on Wednesday, July 9, at 1 p.m. from the Thornton Funeral Home in Parksley with the Rev. Andy Cobb officiating. Interment followed in the Downing’s Cemetery in Oak Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kelly’s name to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation.
Arrangements are by the Thornton Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Parksley.
