Candy Thomas, beloved daughter, wife, mother, Grandmommie, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and faithful servant of her community, passed away on September 3, 2026.

Candy shared 55 years of marriage with her husband, Charlie, building a life centered on family, faith, service, and love. She was a devoted mother to her sons, Chris (Katy) and Josh (Lindsey), a loving sister to her brother, Brandy (Doris), and a cherished aunt to Brent, Megan, and many other nieces and nephews.

But of all the roles Candy filled in her life, Grandmommie was the one she was made for.

She absolutely adored her four grandchildren - Will, Ellie, Ollie, and Addie - and they adored her right back. She showed up for them endlessly. She loved them unconditionally, gave generously, celebrated their lives, and made each of them know, without question, how deeply they were loved.

Being their Grandmommie wasn't simply something Candy did. It was one of the greatest joys of her life and one of the greatest gifts she gave her family.

That same instinct to care for people extended far beyond her own family. Candy was made of compassion. She was a teacher at Selmaville Elementary School, where caring for children became part of the work of her life. Her Christian faith was central to who she was. She spent her life attending Zion Hill Baptist Church, and her faith could be seen most clearly in the way she lived - caring for others, serving her church and community, helping whenever and wherever she could, and being someone people knew they could always count on.

Candy lived her faith through action. She gave her time, her energy, her love, and herself freely to the people around her. Her life touched far more people than she probably ever realized, and the kindness and love she put into the world will continue through all of them.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Charlie; her sons, Chris (Katy) and Josh (Lindsey); her grandchildren, Will, Ellie, Ollie, and Addie; her brother, Brandy (Doris); her nieces and nephews, including Brent and Megan; and many family members and friends who loved her deeply.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, September 11, 2026, at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Centralia with Pastor Don Schaffer officiating. Interment will follow at Zion Hill Church Cemetery. Relatives and friends are welcome to attend the visitation from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the church. Memorials may be made in Candy’s honor to Zion Hill Cemetery or the Donor’s Choice and will be accepted for the family at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia. Online condolences and memories of Candy may be shared with her family by visiting maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.