Judie Darlene Thomas (née Patterson), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 15th, 2025, at 4:43 PM in Columbia, South Carolina. She was 79 years old.

Born in Santa Rosa, California, on September 6th, 1945, Darlene lived a life marked by kindness, wisdom, and service to others. A proud graduate of Southern Adventist University and the University of South Carolina, she spent 36 dedicated years teaching, where she touched the lives of countless students and colleagues with her compassion, patience, and strength.

Darlene’s heart was always with her family and community. She was the cherished wife of Ray Thomas and the devoted mother of Lindsay (Jared). She was also the proud grandmother of Caitlyn (Dimitar). Darlene is survived by her sister JoAnn (Patrick) and brother Jerry (Judy), and remembered lovingly by many nieces, nephews, and other beloved family members. She was preceded in death by her siblings Lawrence (Joyce) and Midge (John Jacques), as well as her parents, Joseph Paterson (née Phillips) and Ruth Patterson.

A woman of deep faith and gentle spirit, Darlene found joy in studying the Bible, spending time with friends and family, cooking, scrapbooking, and lifting up those around her with her kind words and warm presence. She loved to travel the world, and share stories of her adventures with her loved ones. She will be remembered for the way she cared for others, her uplifting nature, and her unwavering belief in the goodness of those around her.

Darlene’s legacy lives on in the hundreds of lives she touched—in her classroom, in her community, and in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

At Ray’s request, the memorial service has been scheduled for a later date to allow all who wish to honor and celebrate Darlene’s life the opportunity to attend. The service will take place on May 25th at 2:00 PM at the Columbia First Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lexington, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Columbia First Seventh-day Adventist Church, where she was a faithful and active member.