WILMINGTON — Martha “Gaye” Boren Thomas, 81, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Center.
Gaye was born Aug. 9, 1939, in Greensboro, daughter of the late Benjamin Clark Boren and Francis Wheeler Boren. She grew up in Siler City, where she completed high school and went on to graduate from W.C. (UNC Greensboro). She later earned a master’s degree from Fayetteville State. She taught for 31 years and received the North Carolina Teacher of the Year Award in 1999, presented by the North Carolina Association for the Gifted and Talented for five years of teaching. She taught in Pittsboro, Siler City, Dunn, Angier and Wilmington, all while raising three fine children.
Raised in the Methodist church, Gaye was baptized in the Baptist church after marriage and was a dedicated member working in many areas of the church. It was her sincere desire to become a deacon in the church, a goal she accomplished.
She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her kind and generous spirit, her generosity and her love of life. Her love for her children, grandchildren, family and spending time with them was when she was happiest.
The family sincerely thanks all her many friends in Wilmington and other areas of the United States and all the caregivers involved in her last years.
Gaye is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jesse James “Jimmy” Thomas; three children, Jesse James (Jim) Thomas III (Rose), Andrea Thomas Turner (Fred) and Stephen Blair Thomas; three grandchildren, Amelia Rose Thomas, Jesse Hayes Thomas and Heather Nicole Genna; sister, Ada Jo Burke; sister-in-law, Camellia Berglund (Lyle); and brother-in-law, Rowland Thomas (Diane).
A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 11, at the First Baptist Church Activities Center, 1939 Independence Blvd., Wilmington. The service will be held outside. Please bring a chair for your comfort, as seating will only be offered for the family. In case of bad weather, the service will be moved to the First Baptist Church gym at the activity center with social distancing.
The family asks, in lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to the First Baptist Church of Wilmington, 411 Market St., Wilmington, NC 24801.
Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.
