Lillian E. Thomas

Lillian Elizabeth Scott Thomas was born on October 6, 1919 to Walter and Sallie Scott in Middlesex County, Virginia. She was their only child and spent many enjoyable moments with her parents and grandparents. She often traveled on the riverboat with her bed to be with her parents who, during her early years, worked in New Jersey. The stories of her youth and the experiences she shared were ever part of her and she shared them frequently. She attended and graduated from the schools of Middlesex County and went to study at Virginia State College in Petersburg. She developed a love for cosmetology and left college, moved to Baltimore and studied to be a cosmetologist. It was during this time in Baltimore that she met and married the love of her life, Calvin Van Lear Thomas. They were inseparable in love and life for 59 years. From their union were born two sons, Calvin Van Lear Thomas, Jr. and Walter Scott Thomas . Her boys were the love of her life. Elizabeth, as she was known to everyone, was loved by all and full of wit and humor. She was a founding member of the Contemporaries, a group of women committed to social change through scholarship assistance and social action projects. She could change the mood of anyone in a matter of moments and put a smile on their face. Elizabeth was baptized at the Grafton Baptist Church in Middlesex and upon moving to Baltimore, marrying and settling in Cherry Hill, she joined The Cherry Hill Community Church Presbyterian where she and Calvin both served in leadership. There she began her life long journey of teaching leadership. There she began her life long journey of teaching God's word . Together with her husband , they served God with joy and reared their children to love and serve God with joy and appreciation. In 1971, Elizabeth joined New Shiloh Baptist Church, under the leadership of Dr. Harold A. Carter, Sr. It was here that her faith grew by leaps and bounds. She was an ordained Deaconess, served in the Missionary Society, taught Saturday Church School, and served as a Women's Day Chairperson. She loved her church and was faithful member until the time of her death. In her latter years she looked forward to her communion visits from New Shiloh and Grace. Elizabeth was a consummate homemaker and mother. She fixed dinner every night and though a stay-at-home mom, worked periodically as a substitute teacher. She tutored several children in the neighbor and in her later years did adult tutoring as New Psalmist. To her sons she was "Momma," to her grandchildren she was "Grandma," and to her great-grandchildren she was "GG,". Each generation awakened in her the powerful strength of motherhood and they all loved spending time with her. Each shared a unique relationship with her and she made them special in her own way. Her relationship with the women her sons married, Faye and Patricia, was a model of love, respect and gratefulness. Her grandchildren especially enjoyed spending the night at her house when they were young. To spend the night at Grandma and Gandpop's meant spaghetti dinners, apple and orange juice, home-cooked pizza, lots of laughs, a full theatrical production, and tears when it was time to go home. She never missed a milestone in her children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren's lives. If she couldn't be there, a card was in it's way showing her love and support. As her grandchildren grew into adulthood, she became a listening ear, confidant, storyteller, and awesome source of wisdom and advice. For her children, she was the bridge that carried them back to their family lineage and pushed them forward to their dreams and aspirations. Lillian Elizabeth Thomas was a woman of faith. She always shared her love for Jesus Christ with all she encountered. Her sweet smile and gentle demeanor will be missed. To mourn, she leaves two sons Calvin Thomas, Jr., and Bishop Walter S. Thomas, Sr. : two daughters-in-law Winnie Faye Thomas and Patricia Thoams; nine grandchildren; Amy Drummond (Irvin DeAndrei Drummond), Joi Thomas, Walter Thomas Jr., (Jarrette Thomas), Allison Stewart (Jameson Stewart) , Joshua Thomas (Candice Thomas) ; six great-grandchildren; Jackson Drummond, Spencer Drummond, Lillian Thomas III; one cousin Ruth Ward; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Her special friends, Deaconess Rosa Williams, Deaconess Agnes Settles, Deaconess Ruth Ward, Deaconess Adeline Snider, and Sharon Dickerson Greene were always there to brighten her day and bless her life

Tributes

Lillian E. Thomas

October 6, 1919 - June 28, 2017