Betty Sue Perry Thomas's life was characterized by her love for the Lord Jesus Christ, her love and devotion to her family, and her love of music. Betty was born on March 8, 1927, in Greenfield, Tennessee, to Sue Grace McDearman Perry and Washington Hobart Perry. Betty was their only child; her father died when she was a little over three months old, and she was raised by her mother and her maternal grandmother.
Betty met her future husband on the steps of First Baptist Church in Martin, Tennessee, when she was 14. Her boyfriend at the time had suggested that a new student at UT Martin, "Ozzie" Thomas, needed someone to show him around town. The rest is history. On Christmas of 1943, Betty and Oswald Henry Thomas, Jr., became engaged. Ozzie had asked her, "Will you marry me and be my love forever?" Betty had said, "Yes, yes, yes!" They were married at Temple Baptist Church in Memphis on June 29, 1944. He was 21, and she was 17. That marriage lasted 57 years. Ozzie went to be with Jesus in 2001. The "being my love forever" part was very evident to all who knew them. That tender, giving, serving, praying love spilled over to their children, to the spouses of their children, to their grandchildren, to extended family, and to those with whom they interacted in daily life.
After Ozzie came back from his service in the Pacific during World War II, they settled down in Memphis and had three children: Suzanne Thomas, Emily Thomas, and Oswald Henry Thomas, III, who was called "Tommy." After Tommy started school, Betty started working for Shelby County Schools and eventually became a beloved figure in the guidance office at Bartlett High School.
In her childhood, Betty had demonstrated an exceptional talent for playing piano, and she continued making music throughout her life. Betty served her Lord most visibly through music ministry. She was the pianist for Bartlett Baptist Church for many years and also played for other churches and major revivals. Ozzie sang for Jesus, and she played for Jesus. She loved to play for the barbershop quartet in which he sang!
Betty went to be with her Lord on August 31, 2018. She is survived by her daughter Suzanne Thomas Whitesell; by her son-in-law John Hamilton (married to Emily until her death in 2009), their daughter Jennifer Claire Hamilton and their son Thomas Scott Hamilton along with his wife Sabina Sniezek; and by her son Oswald Henry Thomas, III, his wife Liese Anne Holder Thomas, and their three children: Anneliese Kristin Thomas Hairston along with her husband Judd Thomas Hairston and their son Asher Weylyn Hairston, Maria Kathryn Thomas, and Matthew Christopher Thomas. Betty is also survived by many wonderful extended family members.
Visitation will be held at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens (3700 Germantown Road) on Tuesday, September 4, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 5, at 10:00 a.m. in the Pollard Chapel at Bellevue Baptist Church.
Memorials may be sent to Bellevue Baptist Church, 2000 Appling Road, Cordova, TN 38016.
