Obituary of Elizabeth Thomas

Elizabeth Ralston Thomas (“Betty”) passed away Sunday morning, February 22, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family at their home in Lafayette, NJ. She was 96.

Born on March 14, 1929, in Kearny, NJ, to the late Matthew and Jean (Ralston) Lawson, Betty was raised in North Arlington, NJ, and graduated from North Arlington High School in 1947. She married the late Wayne K. Thomas in 1951 and raised four children with him.

Betty was a homemaker and bookkeeper until 1973, when circumstances necessitated her becoming self-reliant, beginning a career as a businesswoman while maintaining a family as a single parent.

During those dark and difficult days, Betty’s desperate cry to God for help was answered by the visitation of two messengers from God who brought her an eternal message of hope and life through the Gospel that quickly won her heart. Having embraced the power and purpose of the Word, she continued in the path of Life for the rest of her days. Although the challenges in her natural life remained, she now had peace in her heart. She was thankful for the faithful guidance of the Hand in which she had come to trust. She loved God’s servants, his people, drawing strength from their fellowship. Her chief joy was going to gospel and fellowship meetings and having the privilege of meetings in her home.

In her later years, when Betty’s ability to care for herself diminished, she graciously accepted her circumstances, allowing others to take the lead. She was content wherever she was, always appreciative of any kindness she received and desiring not to be a burden to anyone. Her part in fellowship meetings was notable by her simple, heartfelt thankfulness for the Gospel and the One who led her by a way where there was no way. Her expressions of gratitude always fed the souls of others. The song of her life continued until it was silenced in death, to the great sorrow of those who loved its sweet refrain.

Betty is survived by her four children, Jeanette McCleery (Ralph deceased), Cynthia Thomas, Gordon Thomas (Julie), and Glenn Thomas; six grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren, Priscilla Gingrich (sister-in- law) and her family, cousins Betty Morey (Jeff) and family and MaryJean Conover and family. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Visitation between 9:30 am and 11:30 am on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at S.J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service, 60 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha, NJ.  The funeral service will begin at 11:30 am and will be livestreamed.  To join us via livestream please click here. 

Betty’s interment will take place at 11:00 am on Monday, March 9, 2026, at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for memorial gifts to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice (https://karenannquinlanhospice.org) in Elizabeth's memory.