Sue Thomas obit

Susan K. Thomas

 

She was not on the list.

Profoundly deaf since the age of 18 months, Sue Thomas spent a lifetime breaking sound barriers. Susan K Thomas, age 72, of Columbiana, Ohio, went home to be with her Lord Jesus on Tuesday, December 13th, 2022 at Mercy Hospital in Boardman Ohio. Sue was born on May 24, 1950 in Youngstown, Ohio. She's the only daughter of the late William and late Clara Thomas. Sue was a graduate of Boardman High School, attended Ohio State, studied political science in Springfield College in Massachusetts, biblical studies at CIU in South Carolina, and psychology at Case Western Reserve. Sue is widely known for her time working at the FBI in Washington, DC doing surveillance work as an undercover lip reader. Her life experiences were dramatized through a syndicated TV series called, Sue Thomas FBEye. She was also an author and an internationally renowned motivational speaker. Full of energy and determination her heart's desire was to inspire and encourage people in all walks of life. She is the founder of a non-profit organization called Sue Thomas Ministries, which includes WaterBrooks, a prayer sanctuary in Vermont and also an outreach to homeless on the streets called Operation Silent Night. She lived a life of overcoming many challenges with grace, courage and abundant joy. She considered her greatest accomplishment in life to simply be staying in the race. She is survived by her brother, Bob (Barb) Thomas two other sisters-in-law, Barb Thomas and Marti Thomas, and four nephews, Billy, Bobby, Rhyde and Andy and niece Debbie. Preceding her in death are her brothers Bill Thomas and Paul Thomas. She will be deeply missed by her personal assistant and caregiver of 19 years, Deborah Shofstahl, and her service dog, Rodney. A service will be held at Upper Room Fellowship, 500 Sponseller Road, Columbiana, Ohio on Monday, December 19th, 2022 at 5 pm. Calling hours are from 2 - 4 pm. Burial will be at Waterbrooks in Vermont on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Memorial contributions can be sent to Sue Thomas Ministries, Inc, 320 North Bayshore Drive, Columbiana Ohio, 44408 or online at www. suethomasministries.org The family has entrusted Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home in Columbiana, Ohio with the arrangements for their loved one. Family and friends are invited to visit www.seederly-mongandbeck.com to sign the guestbook or send private condolences.

In 2002, the TV series Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye, created jointly by Dave Alan Johnson and Gary R. Johnson, premiered on the Pax TV first-run syndication network. Inspired by Thomas' unique job for the FBI, the weekly drama helped to bring more awareness to the lives and abilities of those with physical disabilities. The series starred actress Deanne Bray, who is herself deaf, and reads lips like Thomas, and it was loosely based on Thomas' real experiences. At its peak, the series was watched by more than 2.5 million viewers in the United States, and it was syndicated to 60 nations. In September 2009, the show began airing on Gospel Music Channel.

In addition to Bray, the cast of Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye included actors Yannick Bisson, Rick Peters, Mark Gomes, Tara Samuel, Ted Atherton and Enuka Okuma. A golden retriever who responded to the name of Jesse stood in during the run of the program for Thomas' real golden retriever, who responded to the name of Levi. Marilyn Stonehouse served as the chief producer for the Pebblehut Productions company, through which Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye was produced.

Sue Thomas appeared in two episodes: "Billy the Kid (aka: Question Mark)"[6] and the series finale, "Ending and Beginnings"