Della M Thomas' Obituary
Della Mabel Thomas, 93, of Pasadena, Texas, passed away on April 9, 2026.
Born on November 8, 1932, in Houston, Texas, Della was the beloved daughter of Arthur Paul Beatty and Ella Gertrude Wood Beatty. She grew up on Avenue F in South Houston, where she formed lifelong memories and relationships that shaped the woman she became. It was here, on Avenue F, that Della developed a deep love for animals and gardening, passions that would stay with her throughout her life. Her life was centered on love, family, and service to others.
Della graduated from Pasadena High School and later received her bachelor's degree from the University of Houston, fulfilling her dream of becoming a teacher. Before her children were born, Della worked at a bank. Her beloved husband, Robert Thomas, worked tirelessly to provide for their family, which allowed Della to stay home and care for their children. As a stay-at-home mom, she poured her love and energy into raising her family. After her children were grown, Della pursued her career in education and spent 10 years as a first-grade teacher at Teague Elementary. There, she was known for her kindness, patience, and unwavering dedication to her students. She loved working as a teacher and took great pride in the relationships she built with her students, often sharing stories about her classroom with her family. Her impact as an educator was profound, and many of her students fondly remembered her for her caring nature and ability to make learning fun.
After marrying Robert, Della and he bought a beautiful new home on Rebecca Street in Pasadena, where they raised their children and built many young, cherished memories. It was here that their family began to take shape, and Della nurtured a loving home where her children thrived. Later in life, Robert (Bob) moved into their home on Anthony Lane, where Della hosted countless family holidays, including memorable Christmases and Thanksgivings, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The kitchen table was the heart of the home, where laughter, love, and delicious meals created lasting memories year after year.
One of Della’s favorite pastimes was visiting Luby’s with her high school friends. These outings brought her great joy as she reconnected with old friends and enjoyed the familiar comforts of the restaurant. Another cherished memory was when Della and Robert would take their grandchildren, David and Destiny, to Senior Night events. They would enjoy the music, dance, and laughter, creating special moments that would stay with them forever.
Outside of teaching, Della had a deep love for reading. She was an avid reader, often finishing a large novel in just a few days. Her love for literature brought her joy and kept her constantly engaged with new stories. Della loved sharing this passion with her family, often reading to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Storytime was one of her greatest joys, and her family will always cherish the memories of her reading aloud with warmth and love.
Della also had a lifelong passion for gardening. She was never afraid to get her hands dirty, spending hours in her vegetable garden or planting her favorite flowers, including bluebonnets, daffodils, lilies, snapdragons, and pansies. In her younger years, Della was well-known for teaching women how to make beautiful flower arrangements. She was also the head of her local garden club, where she shared her love for botany and her knowledge of flowers with others. Della could identify many flowers by their proper names, and her garden was a testament to her lifelong devotion to the art of gardening.
But, the most important job in Della’s life was being a wife, mother, and loving grandmother. She went above and beyond in every way to care for her family. Della took great pride in her role as a devoted wife to her beloved husband Robert, with whom she shared 66 wonderful years. As a mother, she provided a foundation of love and support that shaped her children’s lives. Above all, Della's love for her grandchildren was immense. She cherished every moment with them, always ready to listen, share, and show them the same love and care she gave throughout her life.
In addition to her family, Della enjoyed oil painting and caring for animals. She took great pleasure in her chickens, as well as the many dogs and cats she welcomed into her home over the years.
For the last five years of her life, Della was lovingly cared for by her devoted nurse, Lucy Elkins, whose compassion and dedication brought comfort and support to both Della and her family.
Della’s family meant the world to her, and her devotion to them was unmatched. She poured immeasurable love into her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her great-grandchildren held a special place in her heart, and she showered them with affection, always finding ways to connect with them and share in their joy. Her love for them was a source of constant happiness and pride, and her legacy will live on in their lives.
Those who knew Della will fondly remember her sense of humor, including her off-color jokes, and her unwavering devotion to her family and friends.
Della is survived by her grandchildren, Destiny Lane Henderson and David Christian Morris; her grandson-in-law, Chris Henderson; her son-in-law, Max Morris; her great-grandchildren, Christian Robert, Liam Ryan, Easton Scott, Dawson James, Dylan Kate, Winter Lane, and Sailor Blue; her cousin, Frances Brown; and her niece, Patricia Gough.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 66 years, Robert Thomas; her children, Lydia Ann Thomas and Robert Christian Thomas; her parents, Arthur Paul Beatty and Ella Gertrude Wood Beatty; her brothers, Charles (Chuck) and Arthur; her sister, Pauline Hamric; and her aunt, Delpha Brown.
A memorial service will be held on April 21 at SouthPark.
Della will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her. Her legacy of kindness, humor, and immense love for her family and friends will continue to live on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing her.Rest in peace, Della. You will never be forgotten.
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