Mary Allen King Thomas

After a long, fulfilling dedicated and devoted Christ centered life marked by dignity, strength, grace, beauty and love, Mary Allen King Thomas passed away on November 4, 2011 at the age of 97 to be with her Lord and Savior.

She was born in Haloca, Chattahoochee County, GA near Cusseta on February 7, 1914 to the late John and Marie Allen King. She attended Wynnton Grammar School in Columbus and graduated from Columbus High School in 1932, where she was very active in the Drama Club and also a member of the GLEE Club. She went to Industrial High, a vocational school for business trades, and graduated July 1933. She assisted with a kindergarten class at Wynnton School and later went on to be the assistant to the manager of the Georgia Power Company in Richland, GA in 1935. She worked for Spencer Insurance Company until after Pearl Harbor in 1941, when she left to go on to work in the Adjutant General’s office, The Infantry School, as a civil service Stenographer. She became Special Order Clerk overseeing the assignment of enlisted personnel coming into the Infantry School and transferring them out upon completion of classes. At the height of the war she coordinated troop movements to the Ports of embarkation. On occasion, she acted as secretary to General Omar Bradley, Commandant of the Infantry School at that time.

In 1943 Mary Allen married George Russell Thomas in Wynnton Methodist Church, which his father, The Reverend G.W. Thomas helped found in 1928. They both were very active in the church and have a long legacy there. In 1947, and for the following eleven years, Mrs. Thomas was secretary to A. Illges, President and Chairman of the Board at Swift Spinning Mills. After the birth of her daughter, she resigned from her position with the desire to become a full time mother.

Mrs. Thomas and her husband accumulated several rental properties in Columbus, which they managed together. She later attended Columbus College majoring in Psychology, also with a concentration of History, Literature and Philosophy. She also enjoyed tennis, walking, dancing and ballet classes.

While a member of Wynnton Methodist Church, Mary Allen taught kindergarten, Junior Department Classes, played the piano, was President of the Epworth League as well as Recording Secretary of the Columbus District Epworth League and also accompanied the District Director on official trips. She has also been President of the Wesleyan Service Guild, Director of Vacation Bible School, a member and Recording Secretary of the Columbus Business and Professional Women’s Club. Mrs. Thomas was a former member of C.A.L.L., The Woman’s Club and Prime Timers at St. Paul Methodist Church.

After her husband’s death, Mrs. Thomas joined the First Presbyterian Church where she was a member of The Calvin Reid Class, Circle 4 and the Theology and Literature Group.

Mary Allen’s life was Rich of knowledge form a life time of learning. She loved keeping up with the world, National and local news, politics and the economy. She loved life and had a genuine interest in everyone she met.

We are thankful for her life as a wonderful, giving and always loving mother, grandmother and wife. For the guidance, inspiration and encouragement she gave to us and the examples she set. She loved much and was loved much.

Other than her parents Mrs. Thomas was preceded in death by her husband, George R. Thomas, a sister, Alice King Binns, three brothers, Gary Wood King, John Allen King, George Dean King and many, many other dear friends and relatives.

She is survived by her daughter, Eugenia Marie Thomas Shaw, a granddaughter, Kelli Lauren Southerland, one sister, Patricia King Jefferson of Cuthbert, GA, a brother, Henry Lee King and his wife Shirley of Clearwater, FL, a half-sister, Arleen King Beasley of Virginia Beach, VA and many nieces, nephews and loving and caring friends.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 2:00 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, Columbus, GA with the Reverend Charles Hasty officiating with interment following at Riverdale Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday, November 7, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary on Macon Road.

Donations in memory of Mary may be given to First Presbyterian Church, Columbus Hospice or the charity of your choice.