Rosalie Mills Mehaffey Thomas' Obituary
Rosalie Mills Mehaffey Thomas’s soul passed from her physical body on Wednesday, November 25, 2015. She was born on June 23, 1920 in Morriston, Florida and was the youngest of 11 children, thus her nickname, ‘ToT’. Growing up in the great depression with a large family ingrained in her the value of having a good and bountiful meal. She graduated from Fellowship School where she enjoyed playing basketball. Mrs. Thomas lived her life in Gainesville until 2004 when she moved to Melrose to enjoy her later years being by her favorite fishing hole, Lake Santa Fe.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Theodore M. Mehaffey and Jack L. Thomas and her beloved toy poodles, Bonne and Aimee. It was during her first marriage that she had the real true love of her life, her daughter Marsha Mehaffey Faulk. Marsha and Rosalie’s lives were so intertwined and full of mutual love that it was really special to witness and be a part of their relationship.
Mrs. Thomas was a long time member of Highlands Presbyterian Church, and a member of the Gainesville Garden Club (Gladiolus Circle). She was a passionate and accomplished cook, with all her family it was always “Aunt Tot’s house” where everyone wanted to have a lunch or dinner event. Cooking was always a passion with Rosalie, only to be surpassed by her favorite pass time of fishing. She was quite accomplished in techniques for freshwater fishing where she went after speckled perch, bluegill, shell crackers and her all time favorite, largemouth bass. With her second husband, Rose toured many foreign countries in Europe and South/Central America as well as many states.
She is survived by her daughter, Marsha (Scott Lambert), many nieces and nephews, and two adopted grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Rosalie was a true example of what it meant to be gracious, giving, polite, and thoughtful. Watching her would remind everyone of what true southern etiquette and eloquence looked like. We have truly lost a Great Southern Lady.
A Graveside Service will be held Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, 401 SE 21st Ave, Gainesville, FL 32641, with Dr. Don McGarity officiating.
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