Cleo Thomas

Cleo Greene Thomas was born on July 4, 1929 to L.C. Green and Corrine Gaines in Elgin, Texas. On the passing of her parents, Cleo was raised by her grandmother, Ethel (Effie) Pleasant on their family farm.

While growing up on the farm, Cleo developed a love for growing vegetables and flowers, making buttermilk, cooking, and reading.

She raised four beautiful children - Charles (Joe) Greene, Joyce (Sister) Jones, Doris (Tina) Donnelly, and Ervin (Russell) Thomas while living in Temple, Texas.

In the early 1970s, she moved to Duncanville, Texas, where she earned her GED from Grand Prairie ISD, and an Associate Degree in Applied Arts and Sciences from El Centro College (DCCD). She also received a certificate from the Hotel and Motel Management Association for Human Relations Supervisory Development, which led to her acquiring supervisory positions in Duncanville ISD, and Charlton Methodist Hospital until her retirement at the age of seventy-five.

Cleo was known to family and friends as “Mother Dear.” She was famous for baking the best peach cobbler, and this often resulted in family members fighting over who would get the last piece. Her homemade biscuits, rolls, and fried chicken were also prized commodities.

Mother Dear had a green thumb like no other, and could turn randomly collected roots and twigs into a jungle of beauty. She also loved collecting cookbooks, and visiting farmers’ markets.

Cleo entrusted her life to Christ as a young child. She was often heard to say, “Trust in God,” “Leave it to God,” or “The devil might be mighty, but God is Almighty.” Mother Dear was the embodiment of matriarchal love to all who moved in her circle of influence.

She was preceded in death by her parents, L.C. Green and Corrine Gaines, grandmother, Ethel (Effie) Pleasant, her Aunt Mozell, and daughters, Doris (Tina) Donnelly, Agnes Greene, and Joyce (Sister) Jones.

Left to cherish her love and wonderful memories are her two sons, Charles (Charlotte) Greene, and Ervin Russell (Kathryn) Thomas, her grandchildren, Tracy Timpa, Doris Williams, Donnie (Brandi) Williams, Roy Williams, Major (Tiffany) Greene, Delon Greene, Cheryl (Alex) Doblado, and Joquel Greene.

She also leaves behind great grandchildren Charles (Adonna) Williams, Jonathan (Tamala) Williams, Damion (Jaleesa) Williams, Roy (Destony) Williams, III, Michael Timpa, Robert (Ashley) Elles, Cleo Lissade, Vincent and Anthony Doblado, Jamilyn Williams, Sydney, Preston, and Carly Greene, and Evan, Ella, and Emersyn Greene. Her great-great grandchildren are Trysten and Riley Williams, Easton and Aurora Ellis, Aniya and Maykayla Williams, Demoney, Amiya, and Chaze Williams, and Myranda, Arrington, and Carter Williams.

Mother Dear was a beautiful and godly woman who embodied love and grace, and who touched our lives with the greatest love a mother and grandmother could give. The saying, “Carve your name on hearts, not on tombstones,” is a fitting description of Mother Dear. She has left an indelible mark on the hearts of her family and all those who were blessed to have known her, and she will be greatly missed.

In lieu of floral gifts, the family is requesting donations be made through UNT Agnes Lucille Craft Greene Foundation https://one.unt.edu/greene

Visitation open to the public, Wednesday July 15, 2020 11:00 am - 1:00 pm at Laurel Land Funeral Home Dallas 6300 S. R. L. Thornton Frwy Dallas, Texas 75232

PRIVATE Family Funeral Service