Bettye Jean Rast Thomas, 85, of Smithfield, passed away at home on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021.

Mrs. Thomas was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina, the daughter of the late William H. Rast and Marie McNaron Rast. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Claude Thomas Jr. She is survived by her daughters, Carrie Bruce (Curtis, Dec. 16), and Susan Wallace (Mike); son, Randy Thomas (Becky); grandchildren, David (Kaitlin), Derek (Corrine), Noah, Zachary and Virginia; great-grandchildren, Payton and Grayson.

Mrs. Thomas was an active member of the MAF class at Trinity United Methodist Church, where she faithfully served on the Banner Committee, Altar Guild, Susannah Wesley Circle and as the Librarian. Following a career as a public-school librarian, she enjoyed serving others through DAR, COP, as a docent for the Town of Smithfield and a volunteer at Hardy Elementary.

A service celebrating Bettye’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Trinity United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.  Claude and Bettye will be interred together at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Isle of Wight Christian Outreach Program, www.iowcop.net or the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.  Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.