Mary Louise Graham Thomason, of Macomb, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 4:48 p.m. on February 8, 2024 at The Elms Nursing Home. Her daughter was by her side. Louise was born on March 31, 1928 in Little Rock, Arkansas, the daughter of James Finley and Elizabeth Iowa (Hendrix) Graham. Louise is survived by her daughter, Sharon Evans of Macomb, Illinois, her granddaughter, Halle Evans of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, step-sons Harry Thomason (Linda Bloodworth) of Encino, California and Danny Thomason of Little Rock, Arkansas, and stepgranddaughter, Stacy Zion and family of Huntley, Illinois. She is also survived by a special nephew, Ron J. Pugh and family of The Woodlands, Texas, several cousins, and many, many friends. Louise was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, and son, Jimmy Pennington. Louise’s father worked for the Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas and the family moved often from one small town to another until Louise was 12 years old. Then the family moved to Harrell, Arkansas where Louise graduated from Harrell High School in 1944 at the age of 16. Louise lived in many places in her early adulthood: Muskegon, Michigan; Memphis, Tennessee; Warren, Arkansas; Newcastle, Wyoming. In 1951, Louise and husband, Earl Evans, moved to Houston, Texas and remained there until 1986, when they both retired. During their years in Houston, Louise enjoyed playing piano and organ at Melrose Baptist Church and North Central Baptist Church. She was also very active in PTA and loved crocheting and playing scrabble with her neighbors in Pinewood Village. In retirement, Louise played organ at First Baptist Church in Hampton, Arkansas, and played piano for a gospel quartet. She thoroughly enjoyed playing music with these groups. Following Earl’s death, Louise married Trav Thomason. Over the years, they enjoyed traveling and especially looked forward to the Thomason reunions each July and December.
In 2011, Louise moved to Macomb, Illinois, to be closer to her daughter and granddaughter. She joined Wesley United Methodist Church and quickly became involved in United Methodist Women, the Beth Moore Studies, and in the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Louise always loved to meet people and get to know them. She was committed to visiting church members and others in area nursing homes, often gifting them with colorfully made bookmarks. She truly never met a stranger. Upon meeting someone, the person was instantly a friend and would receive one of her personalized bookmarks. Louise’s greatest joy was her granddaughter. She loved attending Halle’s recitals, ball games, and school activities.
For several years Louise enjoyed living at Everly House in Macomb and in 2022 moved to The Elms. The family would like to thank all the caregivers and employees at The Elms for the wonderful and compassionate care Louise received. Louise’s family would also like to thank Pastor Melly Momo for being such a compassionate minister and friend to Louise.
The family will receive friends and family on Saturday, February 17, 2024 from noon-1:30 p.m. at Benton Funeral Home in Hampton. Funeral service will be at 2:00 on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at New Hope Cemetery in Woodbury, Arkansas with Pastor Charles McBryde officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Everly House or The Elms in Macomb, Illinois. To sign the online register visit www. bentonfuneral.home.net.
