Mattie Pauline Lemay Thomas defied the odds this yr when at 98 she was diagnosed with the coronavirus and fought it to recovery.
Though she celebrated her 99th birthday this year, she later died when her well being deteriorated earlier this thirty day period.
Bailey Bone said her excellent grandmother will be remembered for her sturdy will.
While it continues to be unidentified how she contracted the virus, Thomas was moved from a Morning Pointe retirement local community in Columbia, in which she was becoming addressed for dementia, to Maury Regional Health care Heart exactly where she battled the virus in late October.
Bone spoke to her good grandmother day by day via video clip conferring apps as she remained isolated.
She reported her wonderful grandmother was not put on a ventilator as she manufactured gradual progress.
Weeks afterwards, she was determined to have crushed the virus and was moved to NHC Maury Regional where she started the rehabilitation method.
A certified nursing assistant, Bone took a place at NHC where by she cared for her good grandmother together with other patients at the facility.
At the middle, Thomas celebrated her 99th birthday before this thirty day period.
“She is a quite powerful girl,” Bone said. “I believe it is astounding that a 99-year-previous can conquer COVID.”
“She is a fighter. It is wonderful just to be by her side. She actually overcame a ton.”
Thomas’ granddaughter Melissa White, who runs her personal organizations supplying dwelling care to patients who suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia, credits Bone’s treatment and perseverance to her grandmother’s means to triumph over the illness.
“A reliable program makes them want to hold going, and Bailey was able to be that existence,” White said.
“There is no speak to with anybody and that is the downfall. It is crucial for them to see family since they give up if they do not. It will help so substantially to permit them hear the voices of their cherished kinds. If they can see who they are familiar with, that can make a big big difference.”
“It could be any person, any where at any time,” White extra. “We assumed we would drop her to the virus. I felt like it was a miracle. She had that willpower.”
‘Gates of heaven opened’
Inspite of consistent improvement in the latest weeks, which includes being equipped to wander on her very own, Thomas’ health took a downward convert, and she died on Dec. 13, leaving a bittersweet holiday getaway time for the family members.
Just times previously, their beloved “Mawmaw” productively took 100 steps, a significant stride from her bed-ridden ailment with the virus.
Her demise seems to have not been right relevant to COVID-19, the loved ones stated.
“The gates of heaven opened for my Mawmaw,” White explained, sharing her grandmother’s dying on social media. “I am quite egocentric and sad, but I am praising our Lord and for my Mawmaw’s everlasting lifestyle with Jesus.”
A funeral assistance was held at Loretto Memorial Chapel in Lawrence County around in which Thomas spent much of her lifestyle.
Born, Dec. 4, 1921, Thomas raised four youngsters on a farm and took treatment of her son Mike Thomas, who was paralyzed for a great deal of his lifestyle thanks to injuries sustained in an car accident soon after serving in the Vietnam War.
“She lifted four young children and elevated crops,” White explained. “She was a hard, really hard worker. I imagine possessing lived a fantastic, healthy everyday living had to do with conquering the virus.”
Following months of currently being aside because of to the virus, White was able to be with her grandmother in the closing times of her existence.
White said she played her uncle’s favorite music “Go Relaxation Superior On That Mountain.”
“When I played it, Mawmaw trickled down a tear,” White stated.
She then performed “How Great Thou Art,” just before her grandmother took her closing breath, she stated.
White said viewing Thomas treatment for her fantastic uncle led her and her daughter to pursue careers in drugs.
“I really like you, Mawmaw,” White explained. “I am so happy to contact you my Mawmaw.”
Thomas’ legacy was celebrated this getaway period by her brother, a few sisters,12 great grandchildren and eight fantastic good grandchildren.
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