Funeral services for Rosa May Thomas, 90, of West Plains, Missouri will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 2, 2026, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Rosa May (Mitts) Thomas was born December 16, 1935, at Twin Bridges, Missouri. The daughter of the late Ray Wilson and Ella Eunice (Ledbetter) Mitts.

She attended the Big Spring School through the 3rd grade, then attended the Pleasant Point, one room school through the 8th grade. She graduated from West Plains High School with the class of 1954. 

She was married on April 10, 1954, to Aaron Eugene Thomas, to which four children were born; Sharon, Mitts, Sandra, and J.L.

Rosa did not work outside the home until the children were all in Fairview school, where she served as VP of the PTA and room mother for each of her kids. Her kids always came first.

Her career started at Carter Funeral Home in West Plains as a receptionist. Then at Knowles Chevrolet as a bookkeeper/office manager; Brad Guffey Chevrolet Oldsmobile; at Bridges Auto Parts as bookkeeper until they closed. She then worked and retired at the end of 2005, at the age of 70, from Garrett and Silvey Law office where she was the bookkeeper and probate secretary, to care for Aaron who was diagnosed with lung cancer. She served as Treasurer for American Red Cross several years. She and Barbara Jackson served as historians for the South-Central Legal Secretary Association.

She taught and attended Sunday School and church at Union Grove General Baptist church while the kids were young, then more recently served as the secretary of the church as well. She enjoyed the quilting club and choir practices at church. She made many quilts, afghans and doilies, which she often gave to her friends and family. She crocheted and framed 16 pictures of the Lord's Prayer, 1 for each of her children, grandchildren and her mother.

In 2007 she published a cookbook for her children and grandchildren, while caring for Aaron after he was diagnosed with lung cancer and later passed away in 2008.

In 2010 she had back surgery which left her unable to walk, without a walker. She was able to live independently by using the walker until 2025, when she moved to the West Vue Dogwoood Green House, where she was given excellent care from a very caring staff.

She is survived by two children, Sharon (John) West of Kingsville, Missouri, and Sandra (Bobby) Whitworth of Warsaw, Missouri; Daughters-in-law, Susan Thomas and Janice Thomas, both of West Plains; eight grandchildren, Jessica Collins, Jeannie (John) Andrewcavage, Justin (Jodie) West, Jeremy (Melissa) West, Jimmy (Jonnah) Thomas, Jason Thomas, Julie (Jimmy) Miller, Halie (Rob) Understall; three step-grandchildren, Kaley (Justin) Hively, Nathan (Kara) Moss, and Kimberly (Gary) Clinton; twenty-one great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren, and seven step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Fern (Max) Welker; brother-in-law, Larry Thomas; sister-in-law Rose Gunter, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sons, one brother, Jim Mitts, and her in-laws, Eugene and Hazel Thomas.

Rosa will lie in state Wednesday from 5:00 until 7:oo p.m., at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions can be made to Union Grove Cemetery and can be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W Main St, West Plains, Missouri.