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"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16
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Nelda Charm Thomas HAMILTON - Knowing as much as we can about our final destination, and who will meet us at the end of life’s journey, takes the fear out of getting there and brings a desire to be there - things that Nelda Charm Thomas, 68, of Hamilton, knew with absolute certainty. On Thursday, Oct. 17, 2008 Jesus Christ, with His arms wide open, welcomed home His much beloved daughter. Nelda, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer less than a month ago, was at her residence in Hamilton, surrounded by loving friends, when she exhaled on Earth and inhaled in Heaven. Nelda was a popular speaker at bible conferences, retreats, seminars and bible camps. She maintained a full schedule of speaking engagements and additionally, taught two Precept-Upon-Precept bible classes each week. Nelda was first and foremost a bible teacher who brought joy, inspiration and encouragement to the hearts of thousands. With her contagious passion for the word of God she communicated in such a clear and understandable way as to cause her students to want to dig deeper and learn more about God and His ways. She not only instructed and exhorted others to study the scriptures, but as a trainer/leader for Precept Ministries International she taught her students how to study for themselves. Traveling widely, she challenged one to make knowing God’s word the priority of one’s life. Her heart’s desire was to create a spiritual hunger in the lives of those to whom she spoke so that they, too, would grow in the knowledge of Him and His word. Single, never married, Nelda looked to the Lord as her husband who supplied all her needs. She delighted in the Lord and counted it a privilege to tell of His greatness and faithfulness to all generations, making known His wondrous deeds among the people. Nelda was born in Monterey Park, Calif., the only surviving child of Henry C. and Mulqueen Thomas. They had one stillborn son and miscarried a daughter. Nelda’s mother and father ministered in the Nazarene Church where he was a pastor and she worked with the children.
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 Dear Beloved of the Lord and Nelda: She left us at 11:05 a.m., Mountain Time, Friday, October 17...... A valiant warrior, a finisher of the race, our dear Nelda, simply took her last breath and let us all reach deep into our hearts...into our faith...to seek comfort from the Lord. Her last couple of days were with little pain. Nausea was her constant companion. Alice, Tammy and I were convinced she was going Home last night, but being the fighter that she's always been, she continued to fight until this morning. The three of us were with her 24/7 until the end.
Please be comforted in knowing that although you could not be here with her in person, she was aware of your love and your prayers. I read cards to her, notes from all of you, even as she was in her semi-conscious state I was reminding her of the names of those of you who love her so deeply and wanted to be here with her.
We were so cherished by Nelda as her True Family. She was our sister in every way. We cannot imagine life without her.
For your information:
Our plans are:
Visitation - Wednesday, October 22, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Daly-Leach Chapel (MapQuest)
Funeral - Thursday, October 23, 10:00 a.m
First Baptist Church (MapQuest)
If you have any questions, need any other information, please contact me by phone (406) 363-2268 or cell (406) 360-7600. I don't know when I'll have a chance to get back to my e-mail, but I'll try to check it periodically.
May His peace and comfort surround all of us as even now we Rejoice for His faithfulness in hearing and answering our prayers -- she did not suffer long, she was beyond ready to meet her Lord. She died peacefully, surrounded by the presence of the Lord and His children. Be comforted. In all things, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.
Please pass the information to those who may not have gotten an email or call.
Will you share your "Nelda Stories" please? Send me your memories—funny, inspirational, sad, or otherwise—and I will post them. It will encourage us all as we look back on a life well lived for the Kingdom. |
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After graduating from Snyder High School in Snyder, Texas Nelda attended Bethany Nazarene College in Oklahoma City, Okla., where she earned her bachelors degree. Nelda had been engaged in full-time ministry since 1973 traveling with a gospel singing group, The Four Runners, performing concerts for 11 years. She then moved to Butte to serve as director of a campus ministry where she actively discipled and trained students to love God and implement His word in their lives. She was introduced to Precept Bible studies in 1985 and began to incorporate the method of inductive bible study into her ministry. In 1987, she moved to the Bitterroot Valley and began extensive bible teaching and discipleship involving many churches and people which encompassed national and international engagements. Nelda has been training people how to study the bible through workshops conducted by Precept Ministries since 1989 until September 2008. Nelda’s presence was larger than life… she never met a stranger and once you met her, you would never forget her. The bible teaches us that the fruit of the (Holy) Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control… Nelda personified these godly characteristics which stemmed from her personal relationship with Jesus Christ. To know her was to love her and one soon became an important part of her life. Having Nelda as your guest for any holiday was like “take a number, stand in line.” Always the life of the party, she was sought after for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July - any kind of celebration - her friends had to be the first to ask or they “lost out.” Whether male or female, one was known as “Beloved” or “Precious One” and most times both, by Nelda. Although she knew your name, these terms of endearment were synonymous with her. When Nelda thought something was funny, everyone around her knew it; she would laugh loudly, not with her voice only, but with her entire body. She would double up her fists, shake her arms up and down and sometimes even do a little dance… in public or not. There was a child-like quality about Nelda - an innocence, but a woman of great wisdom. She was always glad to see you, grabbing you in a bear hug, saying words of encouragement, making one feel as though that person was her closest friend in the world. She had an ability to make everyone feel as though she loved them more than anyone else. Nelda was a mixture of Southern Belle and Montana Mama. She took great delight in dressing in her finest, applying a “touch of makeup,” finding the perfect accessories and “putting on the Ritz.” But, she absolutely loved being outdoors: camping, riding horses, taking long road trips, blazing trails and taking long hikes in the woods. Her flower garden was filled with every kind of flower that could be grown in Montana. Color filled her life. She loved everything about Montana - the people, the rivers, the mountains, but especially the view of Blodgett Mountain off her back deck. A perfect day for Nelda would be to start the day with her Lord, as she read His Word, talked with Him, listened for His voice and took instruction from the scriptures. She would spend as much time as possible with as many people as possible, having breakfast, lunch and/or dinner with many of her large circle of friends. The deer, elk and moose had to watch for her… or else, because she was noted to “drive a little fast.” A mixture of health food nut and junk food addict, Nelda lived life full of enthusiasm, expectations and energy. Given any spare time she would be devouring books, learning so that she could become even more prepared to impart truth. Over most of her life she has been a collector of books and had a library which was the envy of many. She was always studying, learning, listening and asking questions. She was passionate about learning and passing it on. There are no measurable means to know how many lives have been changed nor how many will be changed because of Nelda and her God-given gift of teaching. A legacy she has left to the many she has taught. Because of her dedication to God’s calling on her life, we can be certain she has now heard Jesus say, “Well done, My good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord.” Left to grieve Nelda are hundreds of friends whom she called “My Family,” and will be deeply missed by Stella Lee, Alice Ivey, Tammy Bruns, all of Hamilton, and Jeannine Wimberley of Quanah, Texas. She was pre-deceased by her father, Pastor Henry C. Thomas, and her mother, Martha Mulqueen Thomas, one brother and one sister. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22 at Daly-Leach Chapel, 1010 West Main Street, Hamilton. Services will be 10 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 23 at First Baptist Church, 354 Cooper Lane, Hamilton. Officiating will be Tommy Jones, Pastor of Northway Baptist Church in Angleton, Texas. Pallbearers are Marshall Bruns, Jack Frank, Sheldon Hunter, Drew Kendall, Larry Reynolds, Ben Short, Doug Thoeny and Dan Wagenmann. Honorary Pallbearers are Bob Berry, Rev. Jack Park, Dennis Parke, Russell Moody, Jack Sain and Tom Sauerbrun. Suggested memorials to: P.O. Box 876 Hamilton, MT 59840
Precept Ministries International ...Designated to publish/distribute The Holy Bible.
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