Emily Dean Thomas, 56, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, at her home.

She was born Aug. 29, 1965, in Mount Vernon, Illinois, to Ernest George and Caldonia Blackmon-Bland Sr. She and Eric Thomas Sr. were married May 30, 2000, in Cape Girardeau.

Emily was a cook at local nursing homes for years. She loved to play bingo and spend time with her family.

Survivors include her husband, Eric Thomas Sr. of Cape Girardeau; two sons, Eric (Kameshea) Thomas Jr. and Elvaunte (Sierra) Bland, both of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Erica (Roderick Sr.) Randle and Emily (Ebay Sr.) James, both of Cape Girardeau; three brothers, Ernest Bland Jr. of Sikeston, Missouri, and Antwan Bland and Terron Conner, both of Memphis, Tennessee; nine sisters, Joyce (Walter) Scott of Sikeston; Xavier Bland and Bernadette Mansfield, both of Cape Girardeau; Rosie Bland of Kansas City, Missouri; Caldonia Grayson and Beverly Morris, both of Sikeston; Sharon Bland-Clear of Lawrenceville, Georgia; and Nakita Simpson, Sharitta Bland and Laterrica Bland, all of Memphis; three brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law; two grandchildren, Ebay James Jr. and Emily James; and 11 other grandchildren. She was also survived by her shih tzu, Lady Love.

Emily was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Vanessa Bland and Angela Gordon; and a brother-in-law.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Scott Johnson officiating. Burial will be at Haywood City Cemetery in Haywood City, Missouri.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.