Claudia Rains Paden Thomas

Graveside Service for Mrs. Claudia Rains Paden Thomas, 84, of Eclectic, will be Sunday, February 2, 2025, at 2:00 pm at the Alex City Cemetery. Rev. Mike Densmore will officiate. Claudia Rains Paden Thomas died peacefully at Russell Medical with her beloved family at her side. She was a resident of Lake Martin and Birmingham, Alabama. She was born to Benjamin Claude Paden and Jessie Lee Rains Paden on April 7, 1940, in Birmingham. Surviving her are her husband of 30 years, John Russell Thomas, her son Charles Reynolds Thompson III (Hamilton), her daughter, Laurie Thompson McGill, John Jordan Thomas (Gina), all of Birmingham; her sister, Jesslyn Paden Pearce of Houston, Texas; her sister-in-law, Mildred Willis Paden Davis (James) of Winson-Salem, North Carolina. Her grandchildren are Benjamin Randolph Dunlap, Charles Reyolds Thompson IV, Joan Leslie McGill, Philip McKay Thompson (Madeline), James Andrew McGill; William Paden Thompson, Mary Tate Thomas Wade (Dawson), Sarah Madison Thomas, John Fletcher Thomas, Casey Jordan Thomas all of Birmingham: many nieces and nephews in Houston and Winston-Salem. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Benjamin Claude Paden, Jr. and her sister Suzanne Paden Calhoun. Claudia graduated from Bessemer High School in 1958; was a graduate of Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri in 1960 with an Associate of Arts degree; served two summers as a congressional intern/liaison in Washington, D. C. She received a BS degree from The University of Alabama in Education and English Literature, in 1962. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority; named a Favorite in the Corolla yearbook; a Bama Belle in the Crimson White newspaper; was selected as an Army ROTC sponsor. Other degrees were obtained from the New York School of Interior Design in 1979; Texas Real Estate Commission in 1992. She was a teacher of Language Arts before opening her design firm in 1977-1988. She served as Director of Public Relations/Marketing & Sales Manager for The Alabama Symphony Orchestra in 1991; Marketing and Event Promotions for Green Public Relations in Houston, Texas in 1993. A civic volunteer, Ms. Thomas’ involvements were: The City of Greenville’s Advisory Board: Butler County Health Department of Human Resources: Tri County Mental Health Board: Alexander City (AL) Arts Council: The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America: Huntingdon College’s Board of Trustees: was a recipient of the University of Alabama’s Distinguished Service Alumnae Award, 1983. Travel was a passion for Ms. Thomas and her husband. They have been to every continent and many countries: they have an extensive collection of albums to further their heirs’ interest. “But those who hope in the Lord will reign their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles: they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to Children’s Harbor, 434 Children's Harbor Drive, Eclectic, Alabama, 36024. Radney Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Claudia Paden Thomas.

Claudia Rains Paden Thomas

April 7, 1940 - January 30, 2025

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