Katherine Rowell Derring Thomas' Obituary
THOMAS, Katherine Rowell Derring, 91, of Culpeper, VA, formerly of Independence, and Fairfax City, VA died peacefully surrounded by family at her daughter’s residence in Culpeper, VA on February 3, 2016.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Augustus Howell Thomas, Jr. of Fairfax City; her son, Paul Derring Thomas of Fairfax City; her parents, Mary Katherine (Kitty) Cook and Paul Neyron Derring of Blacksburg; and her sister, Mary Esther Derring Grubb and husband Hugh of Purcellville.
She is survived by her daughter Katherine (Kitty) Fitzhugh Thomas Whitman and husband Jon of Culpeper; eight grandchildren: Katherine and husband Dan, Jon Fitzhugh Whitman, Joseph Howell Whitman, Joshua Rowell Whitman and wife Tricia May, Mary Helon Whitman, Kendra Wheat Thomas Raley and husband Rich, Adrienne Derring Thomas, and Lauren Lee Thomas; five great grandchildren: Caleb Rowell Whitman, Walter Jon Whitman, Josiah Paul Whitman, Katherine Aloma Whitman, James Derring Raley; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Katherine and her sister grew up during innocent days in Blacksburg, daughters of the VA Tech college town’s most beloved citizens, Paul and Kitty Derring. Hundreds of VPI boys were entertained and counseled in the Derring home through her father’s work at the University. She met her future husband there, attended Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, and became a WWII bride in 1943. Katherine and Howell lived in Fairfax City for many years where they attended Truro Episcopal Church, raised their family, worked, and Katherine retired from the Fairfax County Library system. She was a devoted supporter of her husband in his service as Commissioner of the Revenue to Fairfax City citizens. They retired to Independence where she actively served in the first Episcopal/Lutheran Church in Virginia, Church of the Good Shepherd. Katherine welcomed and graciously hosted anyone visiting her home. In her final years, she remained matriarch of her family, was a member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, and a contributor to Culpeper Close Knits. Katherine, known to her great grandchildren simply as “the Great,” is remembered by her family for her devotion, generosity and compassion.
The family is deeply grateful for the service of Katherine’s kind family doctor, Dr. Amauri Gonzales, Hospice of the Piedmont, and those gentle and professional caregivers who cared for her so lovingly, most especially Barbara Rhodes and Patty Cochran~now both considered very special members of our family.
The funeral service will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 115 N. East St., Culpeper on Saturday, February 6 at 4:00 p.m. A private interment will be in Blacksburg, Va. at the family gravesite.
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
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