Willa Mae Thomas

Willa Mae Thomas, 93, of Robbinsdale, MN, formerly of Oak Grove, MO, passed away on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, in her home.  Funeral services will be held at Grace Baptist Church in Oak Grove on Wednesday, September 30^th, with visitation at 9:30 a.m. and funeral at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial in Oak Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the church.

Willa Mae was born on March 8, 1933, in Corder, MO, the daughter of William J. and Ruby C. (Parks) Pennell. She enjoyed being with people and ministering to them. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Oak Grove for 36 years. She was also a church pianist for many years starting at an early age.  Willa Mae visited and ministered to many residents of Oak Grove Nursing Home every day while her husband was there and for many years after his death in 2014.  Throughout her entire life, Willa Mae never failed to take advantage of an opportunity to witness to God’s grace. After moving to Minnesota to be near her daughter, she attended Mission Orthodox Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, where she continued to be active until January of this year, when injuries prohibited her from attending.

Willa Mae was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert “Bob” Earl Thomas; brother, Brian J. Pennell; and nephew, Brent Pennell.

Her survivors include her daughter, Joy Kreisel (Randy) of Robbinsdale, MN; granddaughter, Rachel Kreisel Erickson of Rochester, MN; grandson, Joel Kreisel (Shannon) of Hopkins, MN; six great-grandchildren: Naomi, Hannah, & Miriam Erickson and Asher, Eliza, & Juniper Kreisel; niece, Cindy Pennell Gosney (Kelly); and nephew, Jay Pennell (Nina).

Arrangements by Royer Funeral Home in Oak Grove, Missouri