Gloria Jane Durden Thomas

July 13, 1943 - May 27, 2020

Gloria Jane DurdenThomas, 76, of Panama City Beach, Florida, went to be with Jesus on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. Jane was born July 13, 1943 in Grand Ridge, Florida. She was a graduate of Grand Ridge High School, and completed her higher education at Chipola Junior College and Florida State University with her Master's degree in Elementary Education. Jane taught 34 years at Grand Ridge Elementary, her own alma mater and 9 more years at Citrus County Elementary. She loved her students and her students loved her. One of the most notable memories shared by many of her students was of her playing her classroom piano as they sang songs. Jane was talented and enjoyed many hobbies, including sewing, painting, gardening and most especially cooking. She very much loved cooking for her family and friends, and everyone surely enjoyed her delicious recipes. She even coauthored a cookbook which contained many of her delicious recipes. She also enjoyed traveling, reading, listening to NPR and watching Jeopardy. She was very proud of her large collection of collector dolls which filled many display cabinets throughout her home. Friends and family alike have marveled at her beautiful calligraphy styled handwriting that adorned the many greeting cards, letters, and thank you notes that she sent to them. Jane was a true southern lady, full of her own elegance, grace, charm and generosity. Her former students, friends and family will miss her greatly. Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Teamon and Doris Durden. Jane is survived by her two sons, Christopher (Kay) Thomas, of Donalsonville, Georgia; Jason (Rhonda) Thomas of Grand Ridge, Florida; granddaughter, Whitney Thomas of Pensacola, Florida; brother, Pete Durden of GrandRidge, Florida; sister, Frances (Fred) Nanus of Orlando, Florida; nieces Hannah (Eli) Leavins of Grand Ridge, Florida; Summer (Michael) Palmer of Sneads, Florida; greatnephews, Malachi, Teamon and William Leavins; and one greatniece, MaKinlee Palmer. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Monday, June 1, 2020 at Grand Ridge Baptist Church with Rev. Dallas Ellis officiating. A private family graveside will follow in Carpenter Cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home, Maddox Chapel directing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Florida Baptist Children's Home.