Mary "Cat" (Rosser) Thomas

Mary (Cat) Rosser Thomas, age 86, of Sanford, NC, passed away Friday, April 14, 2023, at the FirstHealth Hospice House with her family by her side.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Mary was born in Harnett County, NC on April 29, 1936 to the late Flynn Robert Rosser and Catherine Black Rosser.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Earl Cameron Thomas and siblings: Joan Griffin (Billy), Dorcas Akers (Billy), Mabel McDuffie (Hayden), and Vivian Wooten (Melvin).

She is survived by her much loved daughters Ruth Thomas of Sanford, Ann Cornell (Dwight) of Naples, FL; sister Lillian Barrett (Gene) of Sanford; brother Flynn Robert Rosser, Jr., “Bobby” (Patsy) of Olivia; grandchildren Austen Cornell (Lauren) of Jacksonville, Florida, Jordan Cornell (fiancé, Amanda Zwerin) of Belmont, NC; great-grandsons Foster Thomas Cornell and Cameron Paul Cornell of Jacksonville, Florida and many nieces and nephews.

Mary graduated from Benhaven High School in 1954 and later attended Central Carolina Technical Institute (now, Central Carolina Community College).  She was a member of Olivia Presbyterian Church and worked as a management analyst with Civil Service at Ft. Bragg retiring with over 20 years of service.

Cat and Earl were married in 1955.  She was cherished by her family for her unwavering love and humor. She was incredibly proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She and Earl made their second home at Oak Island, North Carolina. In retirement, she moved to Florida to keep the grandchildren for over two years.  She travelled with Earl to Alaska, California and Maine as well as many places in between.         

The family would like to give special recognition to her homecare assistant, Naomie Gaster who was loved by the entire family.  The FirstHealth Hospice House caregiving team at Pinehurst provided exceptional care and comfort in her last days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to FirstHealth Hospice, 251 Campground Road, West End, NC and Olivia Presbyterian Church, P O Box 88, 3363 Olivia Road, Olivia NC 28368.

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