Thomasine Gleason Derr

Thomasine (“Tommie”) Louise Gleason Derr, 94, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida, surrounded by her loving family and dear friends.

Born in Dodge City, Kansas, on February 28, 1932, she was the daughter of Michael and Agnes Gleason.

Tommie was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be remembered for her deep devotion to her family, her full and remarkable life, and the lasting impression she made on all who knew her. She touched the hearts of all who met her through her unwavering kindness and caring toward others.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years, William Ogden Derr; her parents, Michael, and Agnes Gleason; and her brothers, Michael and Terry Gleason.

She is survived by her children, William Derr, Jr., Robert Derr, Lisa Archer, and Susan Grich; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Thomasine Derr was known to most simply as “Tommie.” A name that carried warmth, kindness, and familiarity. A name that made people smile. A name spoken with affection by everyone who knew her.

Tommie was one of the kindest, most caring souls God ever placed on this earth. She had a way of making every person she met feel loved, accepted, and genuinely cared for — without judgment, without pretense, without ever making it about herself. She listened more than she spoke, and when she did speak, it was to make others feel comfortable, valued, and at ease.

One of her most remarkable gifts was her memory — a memory so sharp, so detailed, so astonishing that it often left people speechless. She could meet someone once, chat with them for a few minutes, and then months or even years later ask about their children by name, their school or workplace, their parents, their joys, their struggles. And as time passed, she remembered their grandchildren too.

She remembered because she cared. She cared because she loved people. And people felt that love.

She was so humble about this gift that she sometimes worried she might embarrass someone by remembering more about them than they remembered about her. But that was Tommie — unassuming, gentle, and always thinking of others first. She never used her memory to impress; she used it to bless.

Within her family, she was the keeper of their history — the one that all turned to remember a date, a story, a detail, or a moment from long ago. She could recall events with such clarity and accuracy that no embellishment was ever needed. She simply told the truth, and the truth was always enough.

A Personal Memory That Reveals Her Quiet Strength

There is a memory about our mother that would surprise many who knew her — a memory that reveals just how devoted, brave, and selfless she truly was.

Most people don’t know that although our parents bought their first boat around 1963 and spent decades boating with their children — every weekend, every summer, every chance they had — our mother was actually afraid of the water.

And yet, she never let us see that fear. Not once. Not ever.

She was wise enough and strong enough to keep those fears to herself so that her children would never inherit them. She wanted us to feel joy, freedom, and adventure — not anxiety. And so she climbed aboard every time, year after year, choosing love over fear, choosing her family’s happiness over her own comfort.

One can only imagine the quiet courage that took. But that was Tommie — steady, devoted, and stronger than she ever gave herself credit for. She was an amazing woman.

Talents and Accomplishments Few Ever Knew

There was so much more to Tommie than most people realized — gifts she carried with grace, talents she never boasted about, accomplishments she tucked away with humility.

She was blessed with one of the most beautiful singing voices you could ever hear. It was so moving, so pure, that standing next to her in church could make you stop singing altogether — not out of intimidation, but because her voice stirred something deep inside you. It was a voice that lifted hymns into prayers.

As a young girl, she played the flute and the piano, and even taught piano to others. Music lived in her, and she shared it quietly, generously.

She was also a leader from an early age. As a young woman, she served as President of the Junior Red Cross, a role that reflected her compassion and her natural ability to bring people together.

Growing up in the small western Kansas town of Jetmore, she was a kind, sweet, beautiful girl who carried big dreams with a gentle spirit. She went on to attend Kansas State University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics — a field she would later embody with excellence as a full‑time mother devoted to her family. She was also a member of the National Mortar Board Honor Society.

At Kansas State, she became President of her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. And in her typical humble way, she would laugh and say, “I only became President so I could have my own room in the sorority house!” But the truth is, she was chosen because she was a leader — steady, kind, and respected.

After college, she and her best friend Margaret moved to the city, got an apartment, and began working and living independently. She drove a little Hudson Jet, which she loved — a detail that perfectly captures her youthful spirit and independence.

Tommie also had a remarkable gift for sewing. As a young woman, she made many of her own clothes — elegant, stylish, beautifully crafted pieces that reflected her creativity and skill. After she married and had children, she often made clothes for her daughters just for fun.

Her sewing talents extended far beyond clothing. She made seat cushions, bimini tops, and aft deck curtains for all of their boats. Later, when her children grew up and moved into homes of their own, she delighted in helping them choose fabrics and then sewing draperies, tablecloths, bed skirts, pillowcases, cornice boards — anything they needed.

She was endlessly creative.

And she loved needlepoint, approaching it with the precision of a perfectionist. If a single stitch wasn’t right, she pulled it out and began again. Her patience was astonishing — a patience that revealed both her discipline and her deep love for creating beauty. She needlepointed kneelers for the altar at St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal Church located in St. Johns County.

A Love Story That Defined Her Life

There are countless memories that capture who Tommie was, but the one that shines brightest is the way she lived after our father, Bill Derr, passed away in December 2017.

Bill was the absolute love of her life. They married in 1959, and fifteen years later Bill retired. Often people retire to pursue hobbies or travel or dreams; Bill retired simply to be with her (and their four children). It should also be noted that Tommie was a very capable woman. She had four children in five years beginning in 1960…. the days of cloth diapers, food made from scratch, and in her case 2 trips to and from school every day (kids came home for lunch back then). For the next 58 years, she and Bill were inseparable — grocery shopping together, traveling together, holding hands wherever they went. Their love was tender, steady, and beautiful.

When Bill passed unexpectedly, Tommie’s world shifted in a way that words can barely hold. She missed him every single day — deeply, thoroughly, completely. She spoke of him often, not with bitterness or despair, but with a kind of gentle longing that revealed the depth of their bond.

She would say, with her lighthearted humor, “I have no idea why Jesus is keeping me here on earth, but He must have some reason! I just miss Bill and I want to be with him again.” She said it often. She meant it always. But she never said it with frustration or anger. She accepted her circumstances with grace, optimism, and faith — trusting that God’s timing was perfect, even when her heart ached.

Her ability to carry that loss with such sweetness and strength is one of the clearest reflections of her character.

Her Faith, Her Legacy

Tommie lived her faith quietly but powerfully. She didn’t preach; she practiced. She didn’t demand attention; she gave it. She didn’t seek recognition; she offered compassion.

Her Christian qualities were woven into everything she did:

• Kindness that made people feel safe
• Humility that made her approachable
• Attentiveness that made others feel seen
• Gentleness that softened every interaction
• Faithfulness that carried her through joy and sorrow
• Love that reflected the heart of Christ

Her legacy is not measured in accomplishments, but in the countless lives she touched — through her memory, her presence, her listening ear, her creativity, and her unwavering kindness.

A Hope That Does Not Fade

Today, we grieve — but not without hope.

Tommie believed wholeheartedly in the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. She trusted that one day she would be reunited with Bill, and that God would welcome her into His presence with open arms.

As Jesus said in John 14: “I go to prepare a place for you.” Tommie believed that. She lived in that hope. And now, she rests in that promise.

What We Will Remember Most

We will remember her kindness. Her humility. Her remarkable memory. Her gentle humor. Her devotion to her family. Her unwavering love for Bill. Her faith that never wavered. Her creativity and talent. Her patience — deeper than understanding. Her quiet courage — even on the water. Her voice — a hymn all its own.

We will miss Tommie every day. 

But we hold onto the truth that this goodbye is not forever. By God’s grace, we will see her again.

May God comfort us, strengthen us, and surround us with His peace as we celebrate the beautiful life of Thomasine “Tommie” Derr. Amen

The family wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to Tommie’s cherished caregivers at The Windsor at San Pablo Assisted Living for their compassionate care, as well as to the social workers and nurses at Community Hospice & Palliative Care Anne and Donald McGraw Center for Caring for their exceptional kindness and support.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Tommie’s life will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 400 San Juan Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082 on June 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. with a reception immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the local chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma at 157 Oceans Edge Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, 32082, Attn: Treasurer.