Linda Faye Gaines Thomas, age 77, of Charleston, died Sunday, November 17, 2024, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Born September 19, 1947, at East Prairie, MO, to the late Jesse K. Gaines and Nellie Pauline Smith Gaines, she grew up in Wyatt but went on to live in Chicago, IL a number of years before returning to Mississippi County, MO where she made her home in East Prairie.  For the last three years she has made her home with her son and daughter in law in Charleston.  Linda retired from Alan Wire in Sikeston.

Surviving is her son and daughter in law, James Robert Thomas and his wife, Daphne, of Charleston; her granddaughter, Haley (Dylan) Essner; her grandson, Derek (Ayesha) Thomas; great grandchildren, Cyrill, Cooper and one on the way; her brothers, Jesse W. Gaines; sisters, Nellie Jean Crisel, Wanda (Jimmy) Larimore, Brenda Stinson, Sharon Booker and Marilyn Kellums; also, a number of nieces, nephews and cousins survive.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Billy J. Gaines.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston where funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, November 21, 2024.  Rev. Larry Gammons, pastor of the Apostolic Church in Lilbourn, MO, will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Dogwood Cemetery under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Pallbearers will be Derek Thomas, Mike Maness, Robbie Maness, Ricky Burke, John Shrum and Joey Hayes.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.