Shirley Jane Thomas

ShirleyJane Bower Thomas, 82, of Biglerville passed away Wednesday July 1, at her home with her daughters and granddaughters by her side. Born November 16, 1932 in Washington County, Virginia, she was the youngest daughter of the late Dewey L.and Clara N. (Stevens) Bower. Shirley, one of seven children, grew up working in the fields on her family's tobacco farm. Her family still used work horses and didn't get electricity to their rural home until she was in the fourth grade. Shirley was thrilled at relating tales of her youth to the younger generations of her family. Shirley graduated from Cleveland High School, Bristol, VA. Her family moved to Biglerville in 1950 where she worked as a telephone switchboard operator. She loved telling the story about the excitement created when the call came in that the Arendtsville National Bank had been robbed. Shirley married Jay W. Thomas, Sr. on June 11, 1952. Jay predeceased her in 2003. Over the years Shirley was active in the Girl Scouts, Biglerville Garden Club and Altar Guild at Trinity Lutheran Church. She was noted amongst her family and friends for her baking skills, especially her wonderful lemon cookies, fudge and mints. Shirley and Jay started Thomas' Drive in restaurant in 1962. They opened Debbie's Little World, a children's clothing store in 1976. Shirley was also a demonstrator for Christmas Around the World for several years. Shirley is survived by two daughters, Deborah Thomas and husband William Lamb, and Brenda L. Sell, both of Biglerville; eight grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; a sister, Carol Rhea of Bristol, Tennessee; a brother, Dewey L. Bower Jr. of Biglerville, and a number of nieces and nephews. Shirley was preceded in death by her son, Jay W. Thomas Jr. in 2008, her son-in-law Douglas A. Sell in 2014, a sister, Phyllis Williams and three brothers, Marvin, James Edward and Donald Wayne Bower. A viewing will be held at Dugan Funeral Home, 111 S. Main Street, Bendersville on Sunday, July 5 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. The funeral service will be conducted at Trinity Lutheran Church, 38 N. High Street, Arendtsville, on Monday, July 6 at 11:00 AM with additional visitation for an hour before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to SpiriTrust Lutheran Home Care and Hospice, 2700 Luther Drive, Chambersburg, PA 17202 or to Trinity Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 309, Arendtsville, PA 17303.