Rosalie Ascension Thomas, age 91, passed away on March 5, 2026.
Rosalie Ascension Thomas, was born on December 12, 1934, in Ogden, New Mexico, where she spent her formative years surrounded by the beauty and spirit of the Southwest.
It was at a dance hall in Colorado that Rosalie first met Charles E. Thomas who was stationed at a nearby Air Force Base. When they met some time later at the Denver Capitol building and Charles sang to her and played his 12 string guitar for her, Rosalie knew she was in love. On August 6, 1955, the two married in West Riverside, California, and shared a devoted partnership that spanned 57 wonderful years. As the steadfast wife of a career military sergeant in the United States Air Force, Rosalie gracefully navigated the challenges and joys of military life, supporting her husband and family through many challenges and experiences.
After many years in California, Rosalie and Charles relocated to Hollister in the early 2000s, where they enjoyed their years together until Charles’s passing in 2013.
Rosalie was a gifted artist, particularly known for her talent in arts and crafts. Her creativity shone through in the beautiful jewelry she made by hand, and she took great pleasure in attending arts and crafts fairs to share and sell her unique creations. Her passion for the arts was matched only by her love for dancing—especially line dancing and sharing joyful moments on the dance floor with Charles. It was in her final days that her family told her that if she was ready to go see Charles and dance the jitterbug again with him that she was free to go and be reunited and how deeply they loved her.
Rosalie entered into rest on March 5, 2026 at Cox Medical Center in Branson at the age of 91.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Roque Gallegoes and Rufugio Agullar; her husband, Charles Thomas; brother, Orascio Gallegoes; sister, Olaneah Gallegoes; and one grandchild, Phillip Estrada.
Rosalie will be greatly missed by her family – children, Una Harris (Wade) of Kirbyville, Diana Estrada (John) of California, Ruth Ussery (Steven) of Hollister, Jeff Thomas of Hollister and Robert Thomas of Hollister; her brothers, Louis Gallegoes, Robert Gallegoes and Livio Gallegoes; sister, Ruby Woods, Ophelia Carrillo and Evangeline Fritz; her beloved grandchildren, Amie Denning, Heather Harris, Shoshena Ussery, Dakota Thomas and Niesje Estrada, BJ Estrada; and the great-grandchildren she so deeply adored, Devan Denning, Destiny Denning, Arielle Denning, Jasmine Denning, Gavin Denning, Mia and Anden.
A celebration of Rosalie’s life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements were in the care of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, Branson.
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