Raida Paisley Thomas, 92, passed away on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 surrounded by family at Orchard Villa in Oregon, Ohio. Raida was born August 31, 1918 in Metropolis, Illinois to William and Pearl Paisley. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, William Paisley, Jr. and sister, Edna Paisley. Raida attended grade school in Metropolis, IL, and Toledo, Ohio, and graduated from Scott High School in 1937. Raida was a charter member of the Echo Meadows Church of Christ, also a charter and life member of the Ladies Associates of Michigan Christian College, now Rochester College. Traveling was high on her list and she was fortunate to have been to 14 different countries and most of the United States. Her favorite part of the country was the West and the National Parks, which she traveled with her husband. Grandchildren took turns going with them until each had been at least once. Raida loved to read the Bible and was also fond of novels. She was a talented seamstress and made most of her casual clothing. She loved to teach 3rd & 4th grade students in Sunday School and did so for more than 30 years. Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 72 years, James E. Thomas; son, Ronald (Pat) Thomas; daughter, Karen (Edward) Shepherd; grandchildren, Kathleen (Scott) Passon, James (preceded in death by Linda) Shepherd, Gregory (Leah) Thomas, Jennifer (Michael) Howard, Karla (Matthew) Brent; great grandchildren, Morgan (Josh) Hester, Kaitlynn Passon, Megan Shepherd, Kasey Thomas, Garrett Thomas, Miah Brent, Brandy (Eric) Schuffenecker, Kevin Howard and Kristina Howard; great great grandson, Tucker Schuffenecker. She is also survived by her sister, Wilma Hudson of Ione, California, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Sunday, February 20, 2011 from 2-8 p.m. at the Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel, 440 S. Coy Road. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 21, 2011 by Fred Edens at Echo Meadows Church of Christ, 2905 Starr Ave., Oregon, Ohio, where the family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Toledo Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be directed to Echo Meadows Church of Christ Building Fund. The family would like to thank Hospice of Northwest Ohio and all the nurses and aides at Orchard Villa Bay Shore Commons, especially Heather, Sara, Lindsey and Kristie. Visitation: Sunday, 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. in Church Services: Monday, 11:00 a.m. at Echo Meadows Church of Christ Interment: Toledo Memorial Park