Claudette Thomas

Claudette “Mimi” Thomas died peacefully after a brief illness on February 14, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. Claudette was born on January 23, 1941, in Ringgold, Louisiana to Claude and Lucille Bumpas.  She graduated in 1959 from Coushatta High School.  Claudette worked in finance and banking for over 30 years.  She also played a crucial part in the success of Billy R. Thomas Builders. Claudette is preceded in death by her father, Claude Bumpas and her mother, Lucille Bumpas. She is survived by her loving husband of 37 years, Billy R. Thomas; her daughter Julie Williams and her wife Kathryn Williams and grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Marshall, William, and Charles; her son John Williams and his wife Sarah Williams and granddaughter: Caroline Williams; her brother, Jimmie Bumpas and his wife Carolyn and nieces and nephews, Mark, Stephen, Marian and David; and brother-in-law, Bobby Thomas and his wife Shirley. Claudette was an avid reader.  She loved singing and fishing.  A huge Saints and LSU football fan, Claudette enjoyed every game like it was the playoffs.  She also spent many hours watching and cheering on Kaitlyn while she played softball. Mimi, as her grandchildren called her, was a devoted grandmother to each one.  She traveled to Russia with her daughter Julie when Julie adopted her first grandchild, Kaitlyn, and fell in love with her at first sight. Claudette was a member of Trinity Baptist Church of Natchitoches, Louisiana. A Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at 2 p.m. at Memory Lawn Cemetery located at 1700 Washington Street, Natchitoches, LA.  Visitation will be from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home, 848 Keyser Ave., Natchitoches, prior to the service.  Pastor Aaron McGuffen of Trinity Baptist Church will be officiating.  Honorary pallbearers are Donnie Kelly, Pete Lambert, and Harold Braden. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Claudette’s memory to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude Research Hospital for Children. The family would like to thank the staff of Highland Hospital, especially Dr. Peyman Roohani, the staff of the Courtyard of Natchitoches, and the staff of Hospice of Natchitoches.