Julia Frances Thomas

Julia Raynor (Welch) Thomas passed away peacefully at Crystal Coast Hospice on April 28, 2026 at the age of 96.

Julia was a sixty year member of First Baptist Church of New Bern where she cherished her Lord and Savior and served faithfully in many capacities. She was best known for her sourdough bread that she baked weekly and provided to family, friends and whoever was in need. Julia was chair of the church benevolence committee for twenty years and served many families during the loss of their loved ones.

Julia was preceded in death by her parents, Broughton and Alice Dupree Raynor of Angier, NC, her first husband Edgar Earl (Ed) Welch, and second husband Woodrow W. (Woody) Thomas, and her brother Ira Kent Raynor of Angier, NC.

Julia is survived by her sister Martha Raynor Gale of Angier, NC, two children, Kathy Welch (Greg) Parker and Kim (Renea) Welch of New Bern. She also has three step-children, Ann Thomas of The Villages Florida, Jane Thomas Choate (Ron) of Emerald Isle, NC and Robbie (Cynthia) Thomas of Fayetteville, NC. Her grandchildren are Matthew Parker, Waldorf, MD, Jake Welch, New Bern. Her step-grandchildren are Brandon, Stacey, Jane Claire, Rachel and Sarah and 12 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be at Cotten Funeral Home in New Bern, NC on Friday, May 1, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A graveside service and interment will be at Lakeside Memorial Gardens in Angier, NC on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 11:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that any donations be made to either, First Baptist Church, 409 Pollock Street, New Bern, NC 28560 or Solid Rock Methodist Church, PO Box 12187, New Bern, NC 28561