5-Year-Old Laid To Rest With 'Best Friend' Grandma After Crash

CHESTER, NJ — A grandmother and her five-year-old granddaughter, a pair of best friends, are now "watching over [their] flock in heaven" together after dying in a Chester car crash last week, obituaries for the pair say.

Mariamma Thomas, 73, and Sofia Thomas, 5, were killed in a car crash on Rt. 206 in Chester on Nov. 8. "[Sofia] is now in Heaven with her best friend, her grandmother, and is watching over her flock," an obituary for Sofia reads.

Sixty-eight years apart in age, the grandmother-granddaughter pair were remembered as loving, kind people who brought joy to their families. Now, their family says, the two are watching over them in heaven.

"As a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Mariamma always put her family's needs above her own. Her joy was seeing everyone else's happiness. There was never a moment in life that was too big for Mariamma, which she could not handle with her calming grace and witty approach," an obituary for Mariamma and provided to Patch reads. Mariamma was born in India and lived in Linden for the past 42 years. She was a registered nurse at an Elizabeth Hospital.

Just five years old, Sofia Thomas already had an outgoing, "quirky" personality, her obituary reads. She loved Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and online videos shared by Ryna ToysReviews.

"With a single smile, she could turn sadness into laughter. With the simple touch of her hand, she could dull any pain. Her love and spirit radiated brighter than the sun. She is now in Heaven with her best friend, her grandmother, and is watching over her flock," her obituary reads.

The pair were driving in a car with grandfather Cheriyal Thomas at the time of the crash. He was flown to a nearby hospital for treatment and survived the crash, but his current status is unclear. The crash happened just outside of the William J. Leber Funeral Home. That funeral home worked to organize their funeral services earlier this week.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to all of those involved in this incident," Chester police said.

Sofia and Mariamma Thomas' full obituaries are reprinted here, as provided to Patch by the William J. Leber Funeral Home:

OBITUARY OF SOFIA THOMAS

Sofia Thomas, age 5, of Linden, New Jersey passed away on Thursday, November 8, 2018, in Chester, New Jersey. Sofia was born on July 11, 2013, in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Sofia enjoyed life. She was a thoughtful and intelligent person who loved her family and excelled at being a child. Quirky because of her love of Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, as well as Ryan ToysReview. Smart because of her love of books. Competitive because she never liked losing a race. Funny because she identified herself as a vegetarian while eating meat lovers pizza. Faithful because of her love of God. Beautiful because she was loved by all.

A beacon of light and hope. With a single smile, she could turn sadness into laughter. With the simple touch of her hand, she could dull any pain. Her love and spirit radiated brighter than the sun. She is now in Heaven with her best friend, her grandmother, and is watching over her flock.

She is survived by her loving parents Satheesh Thomas and Tini Thomas.

A visitation will be held Monday, November 12, 2018, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Mar Thoma Church, 423 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick, NJ. A 10 a.m. funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, at Leber Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Chester, NJ.

OBITUARY OF MARIAMMA THOMAS

Mariamma Thomas, 73, of Linden, New Jersey passed away on Thursday, November 8, 2018. Mariamma was born on June 7, 1945, in Kerala, India. She lived in Linden for the past 42 years and previously lived in India. She was a Registered Nurse for Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Mariamma is now in Heaven. She has fulfilled her promises here on earth and is now serving at God's side. As a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Mariamma always put her family's needs above her own. Her joy was seeing everyone else's happiness. There was never a moment in life that was too big for Mariamma, which she could not handle with her calming grace and witty approach.

Simple. Dignified. Righteous. Mariamma will be missed but we know she is watching down on her family and providing guidance when needed.

Mariamma is survived by her husband, Cheriyal Thomas, her children, Mini Dalal and Hemen Dalal, Tini Thomas, Jibi Thomas and Neha Thomas, her grandchildren, Jordan, Sierra, Liam, Emma, and the late Sofia Thomas.

A visitation will be held Monday, November 12, 2018, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Stephen's Mar Thoma Church, 423 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick, NJ. A 10 a.m. funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at William J. Leber Funeral Home, 15 Furnace Road, Chester, NJ. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Chester, NJ.

Images provided to Patch by William J. Leber Funeral Home