Today we celebrate the life of Phyllis Anne Thomas who was born on February 11, 1946, in
Biggs, CA, to Bud and Martha Albers. She passed away peacefully in Susanville, CA, on May
14, 2026. Phyllis is survived by her husband Jim, her son Matthew, her daughters Tina and
Melinda, her stepsons Jimmy, John, and Jay, and her brothers Tom and Richard.
Phyllis graduated from Lassen High School and later earned her nursing degree from Arizona
State University. Her career as a nurse spanned Arizona, Idaho, Alaska, Southern CA, and
Susanville, where she worked for Dr. Uppal, Lassen Memorial Hospital, and worked as a nurse
for 17 years at High Desert State Prison. Her compassion and dedication touched countless lives.
Though Phyllis could not have children of her own, she built a large and loving family with
seven children Matthew, Melinda, Angel, Darryl, Tina, Larry, and Carrie and filled her
home with laughter and warmth. She was deeply committed to helping her children build the best
lives they could. Her legacy continues through six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Phyllis was predeceased by her parents Bud and Martha, her son Darryl, daughter Angel, son
Larry, and daughter Carrie.
Phyllis founded a nonprofit called "Carrie Your Blanket", dedicated to making blankets for
children in traumatic situations. She sewed hundreds, perhaps thousands, of blankets with
friends, spreading comfort and kindness wherever she could. She made bracelets and loved
beading, to raise funds for the non-profit. Creating beauty with her hands and heart always
brought her joy.
Phyllis always took good care of her car. She had it detailed by a young man, "JT". He
introduced Phyllis to a nice man named Jim Thomas. When her pilot light went out on her stove,
she called JT who volunteered with his dad, Jim, to go to Phyllis' home and fix it. They had
coffee and soon Phyllis invited him for dinner. The rest is history. Phyllis was married to Jim
Thomas for 13 years - he was the love of her life. Together they shared adventures and simple
joys, from driving the golf cart to traveling the world. They vacationed in Hawaii four times and
visited the Bahamas, always embracing life's beauty. At 75 years old, she even went
ziplining
a testament to her fearless spirit.
Phyllis loved jewelry, shopping, purses, makeup, perfume, and pretty fingernails. She enjoyed
making beaded bracelets, collecting Gone with the Wind memorabilia and Santas, attending live
concerts and watching happy movies.
A true "big shopper," she cherished her fancy watch for forty years and even ordered perfume
from Macy's on the last day of her life. She loved the smell of flowers, whether on the plant or in
a bottle of fine perfume. When you smell spring flowers, think of Phyllis - her spirit lives on in
every bloom!
She loved nice cars and had a few memorable adventures behind the wheel - once nodding off
after a late shift and ending up in the willows, another time driving over the neighbor's trees!
Phyllis was a nurse, a caregiver, a friend, and a woman of infectious humor, laughter, and
compassion. She lived fully, loved deeply, and left behind a legacy of warmth, laughter, and
generosity.
A celebration of life will be taking place July 9th at 11 AM at the Susanville Assembly of God
Church.