Mary E. Thomas

Mary E. Thomas, 83 of Peoria Il, departed this life peacefully on Friday September 2, 2016 1:30 pm at her home. She was born March 9, 1933 to Douglas & Jessie Fulbright in Detroit (Kanawha)Texas. She was a member of the Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ and was Baptized in Jesus Name and filled with the precious gift of Holy Ghost in 1958. She had the privilege of sitting under Mother Hattie Jordan and later pastored by the Late Emeritus Suffragan Bishop Val Johnson and Assistant Pastor Joe Rickmon. She served as a Missionary and officer, on the Culinary Staff, a Choir member and a Mothers Board adviser. She had become a sweet Holy Ghost filled person, whom God would use. She was a great cook and could cook anything (including bear) and she had a good sense of humor. On February 26, 1956 in Peoria Illinois, she married Lee Albert Thomas and to that union, 8 children were born; Doris Jean (Ricky) Watts, Vernon Lee (Karen) Thomas, Larry Joe Thomas, Nell Marie Thomas, Michael Anthony (Brenda) Thomas, Cheryl Loraine (Fernando) Thomas-De Reyes, Sherry Loraine (Justo)Thomas-Feliz all of Peoria Illinois, Carolyn Ann Thomas of Champaign Illinois and Brandon Neish of San Francisco CA, whom she raised. She was the grandmother to; Tamra, Jacole(Mario), Brandon, Lawrence(Shelly), Aleshia, Adiare, Ebony(Evan), Shavantay, Tiara, Alandis, Jazmyn, Bryson, Brian, Brianna, Michael II, Tre, Ellena, Brendan, Alejah & Chonte. Her surviving siblings are; OJ(Ann) Fulbright and Emma Harris, of Paris Texas, Ethel Vera Fulbright and Laura Woods of Kansas City, Missouri. Sister-in-Laws; Alice Hearn from Paris Texas, Dorothy Walker of San Francisco CA and Barbara Fulbright of Independence Missouri. And special surrogate daughter Ray Reddick. Her husband, parents, six brothers and two sisters preceded her in death. Mother Thomas lived at home with Nell Marie. She reared her grandson, Brandon, to be a mature young man who became an architect in California, and later was filled with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost. She leaves to cherish her legacy; 20 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Before departing this life, Mother Thomas was giving the opportunity to see all 8 of her children and the grandson, whom she helped raise, all Saved and Sanctified, baptized in Jesus Name and filled with the Holy Ghost. During her journey with Christ, she often spoke of those accompanying her and the experiences she had as a saint of the Most High God; Sis Nannie Lou, Sis Warr , Mrs Nanna, Sis House, Mother Maggie, Mother McConnor, Sis Rickmon, Sis Hunter, Sis Herrod, Sis Lindsay and Sis Garry. God performed miracles before her and their eyes. Services will be held at the Grace Apostolic Assembly, 1523 S Laramie St Peoria, IL Saturday, Sep. 10, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., visitation will be 2 hours before the service. Elder Willivory Maxison will officiate. Burial for Mother Thomas will be at Camp Butler National Cemetery, in Springfield IL at a later date. Davidson Fulton Woodland Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Please view Mary’s obituary online at www.Davison-Fulton.com