Obituary of Sally Sue Flinn Thomas

Sally Sue Flinn Thomas, 81, of Morgantown, WV, passed away on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at J W Ruby Memorial Hospital with her family by her side.  

Sally Sue was born on July 2, 1937, daughter of late Nile R. “Porky” Flinn and Garnet E. Mortimer Flinn.  She was preceded in death by her parents along with her husband, Nathan H. “Kayo” Thomas.  

Sally Sue is survived by her Children:  Bradley L. Thomas and wife, Diana Hinkle of Jeffersonville, Indiana, Tracy L. Thomas Shackelford and husband, William B. Shackelford, II of Reedsville, WV, and Wendy B. Thomas and husband, David S. Puderbaugh of Morgantown, WV;  her Grandchildren:  Brittany Lee Thomas and Fiance Josh Adams, Madison Renae Thomas, Harlie Linn Shackelford, Luke Anthony Puderbaugh, Dylan Thomas Puderbaugh, and David Cameron Puderbaugh; her precious great-granddaughter, Averlee Reagan Adams; and her dear friend Lee Cagey of Winchester, Virginia.  

Sally Sue was a proud graduate of the Morgantown High School Class of 1955, where she left quite a legacy.  Sally Sue Flinn was best known as she proudly led the Red and Blue Marching Band as the Head Majorette.  She also was active in many clubs, most notably serving as the President of the Student Council and made the official announcement when the name Mohigans was chosen at Morgantown High to serve as the nickname for the school’s Athletic teams.  She continued her education at West Virginia University, graduating with a B.S. and M.A. in Education.  While Sally taught several places while her husband Nathan was on active duty in the Air Force, she found her teaching home at University High School when they returned back to Morgantown.  “Mrs. Thomas” touched the lives of so many students in her 24 years at UHS and never went anywhere that she did not see a former student who would share fond memories.  In her family of both Mohigans and Hawks, Sally Sue absolutely loved the cross-town rivalry and was always so proud to say that she was a MoHawk so no matter what, she always had a winning team!

Sally Sue was well-known and respected through the community and had been involved in so many organizations throughout all her lifetime.  Some of those organizations included: The Order of Rainbow for Girls, where she was awarded the Gold Cross of Colors for Outstanding Service; She was a sustaining member of the Morgantown Service League; She attended First Presbyterian Church and served as a Deacon, Elder, and Stephen Minister; proudly inducted into the Delta Kappa Gamma Teacher Honorary; She bled Blue and Gold and adored her time attending activities of the WVU Alumni Association; was honored to serve in PEO Service Honorary; and she cherished her collegiate days of Beta Upsilon as well as her Alumni years as a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, being a member for over 50 years.

In her free time, Sally was always very active.  She loved to play bridge and was a member of several local bridge clubs; she was so fond of taking up knitting, and never liked to miss her book clubs.  As long as she was able, you would often find her on a golf course in the summer, taking after her father “Porky” and was delighted that she was able to pass that love of golf on to her grandsons.

Family and friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce Street, on Sunday, April 14, 2019, from 1 pm – 3 pm and 5pm-7pm.  Visitation will continue at The First Presbyterian Church, 456 Spruce Street, on Monday, April 15, 2019, from 10 am until the time of the service at 11 am with Pastor Zac Morton and the Reverend Margot Friend officiating.  Interment will follow at East Oak Grove Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sally Sue’s memory to Christian Help, Inc., 219 Walnut Street, Morgantown, WV  26505.

Condolences may be shared online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com