Virginia (Sweetman) Thomas

VIRGINIA THOMAS

GODFREY - Virginia Sweetman Thomas passed away at 4:00 p.m. on January 3, 2026, at Liberty Village in Jerseyville, Illinois. She was born on September 12, 1931, in Hardin, Illinois, to Everett and Myrtle (Benz) Sweetman and graduated with the Class of 1949 from Hardin High School. She was 94 years old.

On January 14, 1956, Virginia married Hubert Glenn Thomas of Pleasant Hill, Illinois, in Hardin. Together, they shared 69 years of marriage built on love, commitment, and family. 

Surviving are her husband, Glenn, of Godfrey; three sons and their families: David Thomas and his fiancée, Robin Morrow, of Georgetown, Texas; Douglas and Linda Thomas of Godfrey, Illinois; and Dennis and Christine Thomas of Republic, Missouri. She was a proud grandmother to four grandchildren and their spouses, Kelsey and Aaron Swan of Crane, Missouri, Gregory Thomas of Godfrey, Illinois, Samuel and Katheryn Thomas of St. Louis, Missouri, and Amanda Thomas of Anchorage, Alaska. She was further blessed with two great-grandchildren, Valerie and Luke Swan of Crane.

After raising her young family, Virginia pursued her lifelong passion for learning and education. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1970, followed by a Master’s Degree from SIUE in 1976. She was employed with Alton Community School District 11 for 22½ years, primarily teaching fifth grade at Gilson Brown Elementary School in Godfrey. Throughout her career, she inspired hundreds of students, and even in retirement, it was not uncommon for former students to stop her in public to say, “You were my favorite teacher.”

While she was deeply admired by her students, Virginia’s greatest impact was on her family. She loved unconditionally and believed strongly in encouraging excellence, integrity, and purpose in those she loved.

In retirement, Virginia and Glenn enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the United States, as well as the United Kingdom. In later years, they found great joy in sponsoring bus tours to destinations across the country. They were active members of the OASIS retirement group for many years, where they formed lasting friendships and shared countless memories.

In lieu of monetary donations, the family asks that you hug your loved ones in Virginia’s memory.

Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville has been entrusted with arrangements. 

Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com

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