Gernice Thomas

Sunrise Sunset

May 23, 1932 October 11, 2025

Gernice Pride Thomas was born May 23, 1932, to the parents of Lawrence Pride and Margaret Beckwith Pride in Colbert County, Alabama. Gernice was one of five children.

Gernice attended Cherokee High School located in Colbert County, Alabama

Gernice married Lawrence Thomas in Tishomingo County, Mississippi, on June 2, 1951. The couple later moved to Tucson, AZ to start their lives and family.

Gernice was a diligent church going member of Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church, located in Tucson, AZ, until she began having health challenges. Her children moved her to Phoenix, AZ to be closer to family. She was an active member of the Eastern Star Tucson Chapter, including serving as Treasurer.

Gernice retired from the University of Arizona after many years serving in the role of Supervisor of the Resident Life Department.

Gernice enjoyed attending church, eating out with friends, shopping and fishing. She had a passion for helping those in need, baking 7-up cakes and sweet potato pies for her community. Her strong desire to help others with whatever their need may be was a demonstration of her kindness and heart of gold. Her desire to always be there to help others was also instilled in her children as she encouraged them to work side by side with her community involvement. She was a quiet individual with a gentle kindred spirit felt by all in her presence. Additional hobbies include her “gifted hands” at the Casino and with lottery scratch tickets.

Preceding Gernice in her death were parents; Lawrence Pride and Margaret Beckwith Pride, siblings; Henry Pride (brother), Lula Mae Pride, and Irene Anthony (sisters).

Gernice leaves to cherish her life, Lawrence Thomas Jr.(son), Ruthie Garrett, and Esther Thomas (daughters). Albert Pride (brother of Denver, CO). Grandchildren: Eric Thompson, Lamont Thomas, Tiffany Jones, and Erwin Garrett, Seven great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, and nephews. Along with many bonus daughters and sons that loving refer to her as Momma “G”.

Rather you knew or called Gernice, Momma “G”, Gern, Mrs Lady, or Momma, her presence and spirit will be greatly missed by all. This world has lost an earthly Angel, to earn her eternal wings.

Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me I want no rites in a gloom filled room Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little, but not for long And not with your head bowed low Remember the love that once we shared Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take And each must go alone. It's all part of the master plan A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart Go to the friends we know. Laugh at all the things we used to do Miss me, but let me go.

Christina Rossetti

Active Pall Bearers

Apostle Ace Carter Tony Carter

Lorenzo Aguilar Roderick Hutson Jr.

David Seymour Eric Thompson

Acknowledgement:

The family of Gernice Pride Thomas are extremely grateful and thankful for the kindness you have shown us during this time. Your thoughts and prayers have sustained us in a way words cannot express. Every call, every text, every card, every visit, every expression of food and flowers were acts of love and kindness that made our hearts smile.