Carla Marie Thomas

Carla Marie DaBell Thomas, a lifelong resident of Rigby and Annis, Idaho, passed away unexpectedly on July 20, 2024.  She was a cherished and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; and a friend in the truest sense.

Carla was born to Ray Willard DaBell and Florence Erma Lemmon DaBell on November 23, 1949. She and her sister were somewhat unexpected gifts from God to this loving couple.They were pleasantly surprised when Carla was born and then her sister followed soon thereafter. As a youth, she was popular and outgoing and loved by many. She was a graduate of Rigby High School and attended Ricks College, graduating with a degree in nursing. She met Brent Thomas through a mutual friend and they were married on May 14, 1970 in the Idaho Falls Temple. After a brief period in Logan, UT, while Brent attended USU, they returned to Annis for Brent to farm with his father, where she spent the remainder of her life. The home she and Brent created together has been a piece of heaven on earth for her family and many visitors.

She worked for a time as a nurse, quitting to raise her family. She returned to work after children were all born, working for many years in Rexburg Medical Center, where she was dearly loved by patients and staff. She was known for her cheery disposition and kindness to patients.

Her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a cherished part of her life. She served in many positions over the years and especially loved working with the youth and children. In later years, she loved to attend the temple with her children and grandchildren.

Carla is the mother of six children and grandmother to 30 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. They, along with Brent, were everything to her and they all felt and knew it. Even though she didn’t have a favorite child or grandchild, all of her offspring felt like they were her favorite. Over the years, she could be found at concerts, ball games, and all events large and small. She was a supporter and cheerleader of their activities, and her family knew they could always count on her and there are numerous family videos and photos to prove it. While there are not many pictures of her, there exists an astounding number of pictures with her behind the camera.

Carla was the embodiment of selfless ministering. She spent her life serving those around her. She truly lifted the hands that hang down, comforted those in need of comfort, mourned with those that mourned. She was the Lord’s hands in her roles in church, community, and family. She will be forever remembered for not letting anyone leave her home without food. Whenever a friend needed something she was there: whether it be a meal, a listening ear, a hand in the garden, or just someone to go to lunch with.  Her children and grandchildren all knew her home was open at a moment’s notice and she would make one feel as though she had been just waiting for them to arrive. Everyone felt like the most important person in the world around her.

Those left behind grieve for her and are left with a hole in their life that will never be filled. She left during a reunion with her family here on Earth to experience a joyous reunion with her beloved parents and siblings who preceded her.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Ray, Ted, and Jack, and her sister Gerry. She is survived by her sister Brenda (Brad) Walker of Chubbuck, ID; her husband, Brent, of Annis, ID; her children Bryce (Jennifer) Thomas of Woodland, CA; Aaron (Diana) Thomas of Logan, UT; Emily (Seth) Laudie of Layton, UT; Michael (Patty) Thomas of Annis, ID; Brian (Elizabeth) Thomas of Idaho Falls, ID; and Wendy (Travis) Killian of Annis, ID; and 30 grandchildren and 7 great grand-children.

Services will be held on Thursday, July 25, at 11:00 at the Menan Stake Center (698 N 3600 E Menan). Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 24, from 6:00-7:30 and prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:45. Interment will be at the Annis Little Butte Cemetery.