Clarette Sedalia Thomas was born to Charlie Louis Thomas and Arko Dews Thomas in Arp, Texas, Smith County on August 21, 1946. The story goes that she was born dead. Mother Arko asked the mid-wife for her baby. She spoke to her and told her to “LIVE!” three times. On the third time, Clarette opened her mouth and cried aloud. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at ten years old at Smith Temple Church Of God In Christ in Tyler, Texas.
Clarette graduated from Emmett Scott High School in Tyler, Texas in 1962. She followed her big sister, Annie T. Lee, and continued her education at Texas College. Clarette Thomas was Certified for Life in Secondary Business Composite in 1970. She went on to be Certified in Elementary Self-Contained in 1980 and Vocational Office Education in 1982 by the State of Texas.
Ms. T. worked from 1970 until 2006 in Wilmer-Hutchins ISD. When WHISD closed in 2006, she did not stop teaching. She continued teaching in Dallas ISD another five years.
During her time at Texas College, Clara met and married Mr. Robert Davis. There is one child of that union, Roderick Davis. Though that union was short lived, her faith in God and love of education helped her focus on two things: Teaching children at WHISD, and building a ministry with her mother, Arko Thomas, her sister, Annie T. Lee, and her brother-in-law, Reverend Billy G. Lee, Sr., who is the Founding Pastor of Charisma Church in Dallas, Texas.
While working in education and ministry, Clarette met and married Carl Lee Wafer. They enjoyed serving in ministry together at Charisma throughout the 1980s and 90s. They were instrumental; leading various departments in the church. Sister Wafer worked diligently with the administration as the Church Clerk, General Secretary, the Women’s Department assistant, the Choir and any other vacant position. Charisma remains a pillar in the Oak Cliff community. She was officially licensed as a Missionary in the Church Of God In Christ in 1991. She was the highest-ranking student in her class.
Under the leadership of 1st Lady A. T. Lee, Clara, whom Sis. Lee called, “Babe”, was well rounded. She cherished Faith, Family, Academics and Athletics. Clarette was an advocate for academics and athletics, being an avid baseball player herself. She believed in nurturing the whole person; mind, body and soul.
In summary, Evangelist Thomas was a cheerleader for Christ and Charisma, a watchman on the wall, and a wailing woman of God. Hers was a life well-lived. She entered into her Eternal home of Glory on Thursday, May 22, 2025, and was by her parents, all of her siblings (11), and both husbands, Mr. Robert Davis and Minister Carl Lee Wafer.
To mourn her, Clarette S. Thomas leaves her son, Roderick Davis (Starvonda); grandson, DaVontae Davis; great-grandson, Cashton Davis; nieces and nephews, Mae Pinkard, Dave Pinkard (Terri), Forrest Seaton, Billy Seaton, Caroline M. Lee, Thomas Lee-Little, Starris and Bukhari Massey and a host of family and friends.
