Eva Mae Thomas, 42, of Newcastle, Oklahoma, went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 22, 2010. She was born in Oklahoma City on November 3, 1967, to Joe and Nancy Kelly. She grew up in Piedmont, Oklahoma, with one sister, Lucille Kelly, and two brothers, Kenneth and Lee Kelly. She graduated from Putnam City High School. Following school she was married to Ray Preston and to this union was born three children: Robert Ray, 21, Echo Dawn Elizabeth, 19, and Patricia Lucille, 17. In 1993, Eva returned home to Oklahoma and gave birth to another precious daughter, Bonita Tequilla Marie Lela-Walkan, 15. Shortly thereafter, Eva met and married the love of her life, Steven Lynn Thomas. They were married on November 6, 1998, and made their residence in Newcastle, Oklahoma. Her love of children led her to take in foster children and Steve and Eva eventually adopted four of the children that God brought into their lives: Steven Thomas Reel, Vernon Thomas, Chrislyn Thomas, and Gimel Thomas. She was looking forward to being a Grandma soon, with her first granddaughter, Zoey Renae due to be born this November. She embraced life daily and always gave thanks to the Lord for all she had; never focusing on material things but rather on friends, family, and faith. She especially looked forward to the summer, when the annual pilgrimage to the river began. Camping out on the banks, floating and rafting, cooking out with her family; these were the things that gave her the greatest joy in life. She was very active in the church, dedicating many hours at the First Baptist Church of Newcastle. Eva did not live for herself, but for her family. She defined herself by her children and saw life always through the eyes of them. She is survived by her husband, Steven Thomas; eight children, Robert, Echo, Patricia Preston, Bonita Thomas, Steven Reel, Vernon, Chrislyn, and Gimel Thomas; and her mother Nancy Kelly. She will be truly missed by her family, church family, and many numerous friends. However, her legacy will live on through the people whose lives she touched and the children who will carry on her love of life and faith in God. A viewing will be held June 27 from 12:00-9:00 p.m. at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service in Bethany, Oklahoma. Funeral Services will be held on June 28 at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Newcastle with interment following at Blanchard Cemetery located on Highway 76.