Eagle Lake icon turns 97

Elfe Thomas recently celebrated her 97th birthday at the Arbor Hill Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. Thomas’ first day at Arbor Hills just so happened to be her birthday and once Activity Director Brenda Hull caught wind of that, she got right to work on her party.

Hull and several other members of Thomas’ family came and decorated Arbor Hills for a party fit for a truly inspirational individual. Thomas was truly in awe of her party and had nothing but great things to say about the effort that was put in.

“I cannot ask for anything better; they really made me feel special today,” Thomas said.

Thomas was overwhelmed a bit by the love that she received from the community for her birthday, and her son has an answer as to why people are drawn to his mom.

“She’s smart, she’s consistent and she is a great mom, a great grandmother and I could go on and on, but I am very proud of my mom,” Thomas’ son Kurt Thomas said.

The name Elfe Thomas carries a lot of weight in the town of Eagle Lake and for good reason.

She was a prominent figure in the town of Eagle Lake because of her contributions to the community that she has made. She was a part of the County Red Cross; she taught several kids how to swim and how to play tennis.

“She is such a kind woman, but she is a strong woman ful l of tough love. She has done more for this community than anyone I have ever met,” Thomas’ daughter Julia Thomas Pardue said.

She was even the leader of a Girl Scout troop for 12 years and was so successful at it that she was able to reward her Girl Scouts with a trip to Hawaii, and they did not have to pay anything out of pocket.

“We had raised enough money to afford the trip where none of the girls had to pay for anything,” Thomas said. “It was really special to be able to do that for those girls.”

Making it to the age of 97 is no easy feat that is no secret so to see Thomas make it to 97 years old is truly inspiring to see. It begs the question, “How did Mrs. Thomas do it?” her daughter offered up an answer that makes a lot of sense given Thomas’ athletic background.

“She has taken really good care of her body, she was a super athlete meets every Wednesday in Eagle Lake at the Union Methodist Church from 10-11 a.m.

As for Thomas’ son though he had a different answer as to what helped his mom reach her 97th birthday.

“Family,” Kurt Thomas said.

The love within the Elfe Thomas’ family was apparent at the party as both of her children were smiling from earto- ear watching thei r mother enjoy her cake amongst not only family but friends as well.