Glenna Rae White “Na”

Glenna Rae White (Na) Thomas, 82, went to be with the love of her life, our dad, on September 26th in Grand Junction, CO, after a brief illness. Glenna was born on July 20, 1942, in Hotchkiss, CO, to Frank Bates and Clarabelle Short Bates.

Glenna married a tall cowboy named Tommy White, and they had four children: Cricket (Kent) Green, Jerry (Heather Jo) White, Colleen (Gregg) Tibbetts, and Pamela (Marty) Seely. They were extremely involved in their children’s and grandchildren’s lives. The White Ranch and her home in Fruita were summer homes to many children who Glenna “fostered” which became wonderful memories for all who visited. She was a mother to many and a grandmother to all.

After Tommy passed, Glenna married Lanny Thomas moved to Fruita, CO, and worked beside him at Valley Livestock Auction. His children, stepdaughters Jackie (Chuck) Hoisington, Millie (Mike) Custer, Wyndy Harris, and stepson Dan (Jennifer) Thomas, and her best friend Jeanine Waggoner Thomas, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren all welcomed her to their family, and she adored all of them.

Glenna is survived by her best friend and sister Kathleen Engstrom, who she talked to every day; brother, Harley Bates, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many cousins who were lifetime friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Tommy White and husband Lanny Thomas; beloved daughter Pamela Seely; parents Frank Bates and Clarabelle Blanchard; stepfather Harley Blanchard; sister Wilma Collins, and brothers Jimmy and Jeff Bates.

Na was so grateful for the love and friendships she made in and around Fruita, CO, and will be missed.

A graveside service for Glenna will be held Friday, October 4, at 11:00 am at the White Family Cemetery located at Mile Post 14 Highway 128 Moab, Utah, near Red Cliffs Lodge.