I was born Neoma Arlene Stahl, January 9, 1946. I was the fourth of nine children.
I loved my growing-up years--playing "house", "school", "secret toilets", "riding persimmon saplings", and taking secret trips to the "moon". I went to school, first through twelfth grades, at Plainview-Rover Schools in Yell County. I played basketball which was the joy of my life during 7th through 12th grades. I was a "mean guard"--at least that's what everyone called me. I received a basketball scholarship to attend Ouachita Baptist College, but decided to get married to my true love, Russell Thomas. I did attend Arkansas Tech 2 semesters. Russell and I married July 3, 1964. We set up house in Russellville, and we still live here. Our first son, Alan, was born on July 20, 1966. He graduated from Russellville High School and later from Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, TN. He is Youth and Children's Pastor at 1st Church in North Little Rock. He married Lisa Orr on June 3, 1989. They have been blessed with children: Cayleb-born 1-28-94, Noah-born 12-01-95, Sarah-born 1-04-01, and Micah Doss Thomas-born 3-18-04 and died 3-18-04. Steven was born June24, 1969. He graduated from Russellville High School and later attended Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, TN. Steven is children's pastor and associate pastor at the 1st Free Will Baptist Church in Bentonville. He works for Walmart at the corporate office. He married Sonya Smith on June 17, 1989. They have been blessed with a house full of children, 5 boys and 1 girl: Logan-born 12-10-90, Luke and Layton-born 11-13-92, Lexington-born 6-12-00, Lantsen-born 12-28-04, Lyric Annsley-born 04-05-06. Our grandchildren are now our joy. We enjoy them living close enough to visit often. I own Nelson Learning Center which I have been running since 1976. I get a lot of satisfaction from helping in the lives of small children. It is hard work and long hours. Russell has been in the grocery store business since before we were married and is now "semi" retired.. For our 40th wedding anniversary we took a trip to Hawaii. This was a "biggie" for us. God has blessed our lives and He shows this to us on a daily basis. We give our lives to God daily. Whatever He wants to do with us, we're willing. We have attended First Free Will Baptist here in Russellville since our marriage.
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| Lyric August 2006 |
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| Lex, Lyric, Lantsen August 2006 |
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| Lyric Annsley Thomas June 2006 |
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| Lyric Annsley Thomas June 2006 |
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| Lyric Annsley Thomas June 2006 |
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| Lyric Annsley Thomas June 2006 |
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| Lyric Annsley Thomas June 2006 |
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| Lyric Annsley Thomas New addition, April 2006 |
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| Sonya & Steve with baby Lyric The boys now have a baby sister. |
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| Steven and Lansten December 2005 |
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| Alan and Steven Summer 2005 |
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| Caleb, Arlene, Logan, Noah, Alan, Luke, Layton, Steven, Lex, Sarah Summer 2005 |
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| Caleb, Layton, Luke,Noah, Sarah, Logan, Lex Summer 2005 |
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| Lantsen Beach Bum May 2005 |
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| Russell & Arlene Thomas 2004 |
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| Alan's Family Dec. 2004, Cayleb, Alan, Lisa, Noah, and Sarah |
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| Steven's Family Sonya, Layton, Logan, Luke, Steven, Lantsen, and Lexington |
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| Cayleb Dec. 2004 |
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| Sarah Dec. 2004 |
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| Noah Dec. 2004 |
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| Lantsen Baylor Thomas Born 12-28-04 9 lbs. 5 oz. |
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| Stevie's Boys Luke, Logan, Lantsen, Layton, and Lexington |
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| 40th Anniversary Hawaiian Trip May 2004 |
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| On the Beach in Hawaii May 2004 |
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| Arlene and Russell Hawaii, May 2004 |
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| Arlene and Russell Hawaii, May 2004 |
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| Lantsen Baylor Thomas |
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| Lantsen Baylor Thomas |
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| Lantsen Baylor Thomas |
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| Olympian Medalist,Terry Rode who won on the shooting team!!! The kids even got to touch the medals!! |
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