Obituary for Beverly Jean Thomas
Beverly Jean Thomas passed away at her home near Heathsville, VA on December 11, 2022. She was born July 25, 1948 at the Belleville Hospital in Belleville, Kansas to Harold W. and Marjorie M. (Snapp) Thomas. (Beverly was known by her many friends as BJ McMillan). She grew up in Belleville and graduated from Belleville High School in 1966. She began her love of music at an early age, becoming very proficient on the piano. She competed in state piano contests and was active in the high school band. She was also active in 4-H.
Bev went to Kansas State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1970. During her years at KSU she accompanied the KState Choir and was a Gibson Girl. She taught at Horace Mann Junior High School in Wichita, Kansas for three years. She was accepted to Georgetown University and University of Kansas to pursue a degree in law. She chose the University of Kansas and graduated with her Juris Doctor degree in 1976.
After graduation she began her career with the Federal Trade Commission in Washington D.C. She worked in the Office of the General Counsel, the Bureau of Competition, and the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Bev worked on mergers and later focused on consumer protection with a focus on aspects relating to the Internet. She retired in 2005.
Bev was active in the Sailing Club of Washington (SCOW) where she became a Commodore. And it was there she met the love of her life Bruce McMillan. They were married in October 1, 1988. They enjoyed many years of sailing together on the Chesapeake Bay, and meeting other members of SCOW for raft-ups.
Bev loved to travel with friends and visited all but two of the continents and 48 of the 50 states. She and Bruce combined their interest in traveling and photography. Bev had a great eye for photos in her travels.
Upon retirement, Bev and Bruce permanently resided at their home in the Northern Neck.
Bev continued her spiritual journey at Wicomico Parish Church, Wicomico VA, and St. Stephan’s Episcopal Church, Heathsville, VA. She participated in a wide variety of activities at both Parishes, and was a Junior Warden on the Vestry of St. Stephen's. In addition, Bev was a mentor in the Education for Ministry program for years. She also continued her life long interest in music by singing with the Chesapeake Chorus, the Festival Chorale of Reedville, VA, church choirs, and as an alternate pianist and accompanist.
Bev was active with the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) and served as Membership Chair of the Virginia NARFE and as President and Co-President of the NARFE Northern Neck Chapter. She also was active with the Northumberland Democrats and spent much time and many miles in voter outreach activities.
Bev was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Bruce McMillan (Heathsville Va.), brother Larry Thomas and his wife Glennis (Boise ID), niece Kara DeWitt and husband Chris (Boise ID), great niece Aspen DeWitt (Boise ID), and great nephew Preston DeWitt (Moscow ID), brother-in-law Richard McMillan and his wife Ann Stavola McMillan, and nephew Stephen McMillan (DeLand FL), as well as a host of cousins and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 21 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Heathsville, VA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Northern Neck-Middlesex Free Health Clinic (P.O. Box 1694, Kilmarnock, VA 22482), or charity of your choice.
Currie Funeral Home, LLC of Kilmarnock, VA handled funeral arrangements.
Bev went to Kansas State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1970. During her years at KSU she accompanied the KState Choir and was a Gibson Girl. She taught at Horace Mann Junior High School in Wichita, Kansas for three years. She was accepted to Georgetown University and University of Kansas to pursue a degree in law. She chose the University of Kansas and graduated with her Juris Doctor degree in 1976.
After graduation she began her career with the Federal Trade Commission in Washington D.C. She worked in the Office of the General Counsel, the Bureau of Competition, and the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Bev worked on mergers and later focused on consumer protection with a focus on aspects relating to the Internet. She retired in 2005.
Bev was active in the Sailing Club of Washington (SCOW) where she became a Commodore. And it was there she met the love of her life Bruce McMillan. They were married in October 1, 1988. They enjoyed many years of sailing together on the Chesapeake Bay, and meeting other members of SCOW for raft-ups.
Bev loved to travel with friends and visited all but two of the continents and 48 of the 50 states. She and Bruce combined their interest in traveling and photography. Bev had a great eye for photos in her travels.
Upon retirement, Bev and Bruce permanently resided at their home in the Northern Neck.
Bev continued her spiritual journey at Wicomico Parish Church, Wicomico VA, and St. Stephan’s Episcopal Church, Heathsville, VA. She participated in a wide variety of activities at both Parishes, and was a Junior Warden on the Vestry of St. Stephen's. In addition, Bev was a mentor in the Education for Ministry program for years. She also continued her life long interest in music by singing with the Chesapeake Chorus, the Festival Chorale of Reedville, VA, church choirs, and as an alternate pianist and accompanist.
Bev was active with the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) and served as Membership Chair of the Virginia NARFE and as President and Co-President of the NARFE Northern Neck Chapter. She also was active with the Northumberland Democrats and spent much time and many miles in voter outreach activities.
Bev was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Bruce McMillan (Heathsville Va.), brother Larry Thomas and his wife Glennis (Boise ID), niece Kara DeWitt and husband Chris (Boise ID), great niece Aspen DeWitt (Boise ID), and great nephew Preston DeWitt (Moscow ID), brother-in-law Richard McMillan and his wife Ann Stavola McMillan, and nephew Stephen McMillan (DeLand FL), as well as a host of cousins and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 21 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Heathsville, VA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Northern Neck-Middlesex Free Health Clinic (P.O. Box 1694, Kilmarnock, VA 22482), or charity of your choice.
Currie Funeral Home, LLC of Kilmarnock, VA handled funeral arrangements.