Shirley Wilkes Thomas

Shirley Ann Wilkes Thomas served from 1978 to 1983 in the Relief Society general presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had served as a member of the Relief Society general board from 1971 to 1978. After her service concluded, she served with her husband Robert K. Thomas when he presided over the Australia Melbourne Mission from 1983 to 1986.

Shirley was born on February 26, 1925, in Inglewood, California, and grew up in Mesa, Arizona. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University where she studied English and food science. She then taught school in Oregon, New York, and Provo, Utah.

She coauthored several religious books and was the mother of three children. She died on January 15, 2020.