Roberta Ann (Prelesnick) Thomason, 77, of Sallisaw, OK, passed away on Friday, January 7 , 2022, in Ft. Smith, AR.
She was born on September 6, 1944, in Hondo, TX., to Robert L. Prelesnick Sr. and Oma W. (Gibson) Bounds.
Roberta was of the Catholic faith. She was the oldest of three children. Her creative endeavors manifested themselves early, and she was known for sewing her own clothes. Her children remember summers when they could be found canning and freezing vegetables and spending the weekend enjoying family camping trips. When not busy around the campsite, they could be found in the water enjoying water skiing. Almost every Christmas would find her working at the Kopper Kettle in Van Buren, AR when she would bring home chocolates for the family to enjoy. Of course, who can forget the Christmas pageant costumes she sewed or the creative way she had for gift wrapping. In 1978 she met Larry at the DeSoto, Inc. South Plant in Fort Smith. They married on October 17, 1980, and made Sallisaw their home. Even though they did not have children of their own, they celebrated each other’s children where Roberta became affectionately known as “Bert” by Larry’s children.
She worked at a variety of jobs making friends at each. Y ou may have come to know her at Cal’s Pharmacy, Marvin’s IGA, or at your polling station where she served for many years as a worker for the Sequoyah County Election Board. She eventually turned her love of quilting into a profession and many of you may have met her as she owned and operated the Fabric Patch Quilt Shop in Gore or as fellow members of the Scrap Happy Quilt Club. For many years a visit to Larry and Bert’s home would include a tour of her latest gardening efforts with discussions on what plants she hoped to try in the next season. During the spring and summer, she and Larry enjoyed a myriad of hummingbirds that made use of the numerous feeders spread around the front and back yards. Of course, no discussion would be complete without the mention of goats. Roberta could be found taking care of the nursing goats. Roberta and Larry made several eventful trips. There was the bike ride to Eureka Springs over a Labor Day w eekend, the trip to the Bahamas in the early 1990s, and numerous trips to Oshkosh, Wisconsin where they attended the airshow. Then there were the local fl i ghts she enjoyed with Larry in his plane and often with their dog, Buddy. No discussion of Roberta would be complete without mention of the various hobbies she enjoyed over the years. She enjoyed several years of soap making and found the art of blending scents fascinating. The study of the benefits of natural herbs was also studied, and these plants found their way into her gardens. The hobby that she enjoyed up until the end was quilting. She had a knack for picking fabrics and making the colors and patterns work. She made several “Quilts of Valor” for servicemen and their families. Those of you who knew her, know that her favorite part was the piecing work. The family asks that in place of flowers please make a donation to the American Heart Association or your favorite charity.
Survivors include her husband: Larry Wayne Thomason of the home; children: Laura Wesson and Neal (Norman, OK); Barbara Philpot-Osburn (Sallisaw, OK); Mike Osburn and Imelda (El Paso, TX); and Aaron Osburn and Mandy (Mulberry, AR); Ladonna Baggs and Darren (Sallisaw, OK); Kendall Thomason and Nicki (Sallisaw, OK); and Delanna Taylor and Herb (Ft, Smith, AR) Sister: Linda Michalski (Louisville, KY); Grandchildren: David Wesson (Moore, OK); Rachel Wesson (Plano, TX); Matthew Wesson (Norman, OK); Nathan W esson (Norman, OK); Stanley “Bubba” Philpot and Suzette (Roland, OK); Britney Philpot (Sallisaw, OK); Mariah Osburn (Mulberry, AR); Joshua Osburn (Mulberry, AR); Dyelan Baggs and Jesica (Sallisaw, OK); Ab i gail Thomason (Sallisaw, OK); and Jadon Thomason (Sallisaw, OK); Great-Grandchildren: Walker Philpot; Ava Baggs; and Deacon Baggs.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert L. Prelesnick Sr. and Oma W. (Gibson) Bounds; stepfather, Russell A. Bounds; son, Richard “Ricky” Alan Osburn; brother, Robert L. Prelesnick Jr., and grandson, Kristopher lan Wesson.
Honorary Casket Bearers are Michael Osburn, Aaron Osburn, Kendall Thomason, Dyelan Baggs, David Wesson, Matthew Wesson, Stanley “Bubba” Philpot, and Mark Gibson.
Memorial services for Roberta will be held on Monday, January 24, 2022, at 2 PM in the chapel of Forever Memories Funeral Services in Sallisaw, OK, with Brother Jerry Copeland officiating. There will be a reception to follow after the Memorial Service at the Apostolic Faith Church Trinity, 1000 N. Wheeler Ave., Sallisaw, OK.
Arrangements are under the direction of Forever Memories Funeral Services. 463505 Hwy 101, Sallisaw, OK Fmfsinc.com
