Barbara Jacqueline Thomas passed from this life on February 6, 2020, in Raleigh, North Carolina, to begin another Grand Adventure.

She was born to Ambrose and Ruby Sinyard on February 28, 1932, in Atlanta, GA. Barbara's life was a series of Grand Adventures, the name she gave to her short shopping trips or to weeks-long trips to Europe or the Caribbean, usually with her children and grandchildren. She delighted in saying, "We're off on another Grand Adventure!"

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Donald E. Thomas; sisters Elaine Pyne, Sigrid Cofield and Claudette Lawry; children Michael Booth, Karen Thomas-Smith, Kelly Day, Christopher Thomas, Jennifer Thomas, Donna Thomas, Michael Thomas, John Adams-Thomas; plus, 18 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a plethora of people she embraced and added over the years to her loving, extended family.

She was preceded to heaven by her son, James Robert Booth.

Barbara loved to entertain family and friends at holiday occasions, especially Christmas and Thanksgiving, when she created elaborate meals and simple traditions. She kept the spirit of Christmas in her heart all year long. She was an avid sender of personal notes and cards on every occasion to most of the people in her life, especially when she wanted to brighten a person's day.

She began her working career in the hotel business, running the front desk and working her way up into management positions until she finally achieved her lifelong dream: to be a domestic goddess with a slew of children at her feet.

She was as comfortable with high-powered executives and powerful people as she was with blue-collar workers and the less fortunate. She never discriminated. She always had a kind word for everyone, unless you got on her bad side, then LOOK OUT!

The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful work of Transitions LifeCare of Raleigh in assisting Barbara through the last difficult weeks of her life.

A visitation will be held Sunday, February 9 from 1:00 to 3:00 at Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC  27603, with a service of remembrance to follow in the Montlawn Chapel.