Chiquitta Ann Thomas

On October 17, 2025, surrounded by the warmth and love of her family, Chiquitta Ann Thomas peacefully transitioned into eternal rest. Throughout her life, she touched countless hearts with her kindness, strength, and unwavering spirit. Affectionately known as “Chic,” she was born in Washington, D.C., to Ruby Williams Harper and George Johnson. Although not the eldest of her siblings, Chiquitta naturally embodied the role of a nurturer — always offering words of encouragement, sound advice, and a helping hand whenever it was needed.

Chiquitta’s academic journey began in the D.C. public school system, where she graduated from McKinley Technical High School in 1963. Never one to stop growing, she later earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from the University of the District of Columbia in 1980 — an achievement that reflected her deep commitment to learning and self-improvement.

Her faith was the cornerstone of her life. Guided early by the late Bishop James T. Morris of Highway Christian Church of Christ, Chiquitta developed a strong spiritual foundation that would guide her for decades to come. In 1998, she rededicated her life to Christ and joined Greater New Hope Baptist Church under Pastor Melvin G. Brown, where she served faithfully in the Pastor’s Aid Ministry and the Choir, even taking on leadership roles as President and Secretary of the Glee Singer’s Choir. Later in life, she found a new church home at Reid Temple A.M.E. Church, where her faith continued to flourish.

Chiquitta’s life was enriched by love and family. She was first married to Hercules Jones, and from that union came her daughter Rhonda M. Jones. Afterward, she met and married Tyrone Thomas, and together they welcomed her second daughter, Portia Y. Thomas. She was deeply proud of both her girls and the women they became — Rhonda, who retired from the United States Postal Service, and Portia, a Lieutenant with the Maryland-National Capital Park Police, Prince George’s County Division. The joy of her later years came through her grandson, Darius Saxton Jones, who brought immense pride and laughter into her life. Watching him grow into a young man and football player at Wake Forest University filled her heart with joy.

Professionally, Chiquitta was a model of loyalty and excellence. Beginning her career at just 17 years old, she devoted 40 years to the U.S. Department of Education, where she advanced to the rank of GS-14 Privacy Act Officer. Throughout her distinguished career, she remained committed to professionalism and learning, holding memberships in organizations such as ARMA International, The Association of Access Professionals, and The International Training in Communications (ITC). She believed deeply in the power of education, communication, and personal growth — values she lived out every day.

In addition to her government career, Chiquitta’s entrepreneurial spirit shone brightly. She was an independent associate of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc., a Lia Sophia jewelry representative, an Avon consultant, and an active partner in her family’s real estate business. She approached every venture with determination, charm, and grace.

To know Chiquitta was to love her. She was thoughtful, engaging, and full of life. Over the years, she was affectionately called Shakey, Chic, CJ, and (Momma) ChiChi — each nickname representing a cherished chapter in her journey and a reflection of the many hearts she touched. She was the kind of person who lit up every room she entered. With her radiant smile, easy laugh, and signature dance moves, she was the life of every gathering. As a proud member of the “You Know What to Do Crew,” Chiquitta found great joy in hand dancing, traveling, and celebrating life with her closest friends — some of whom remained by her side for more than 45 years.

Her hobbies reflected her zest for life — she loved music, dancing, antique shopping, decorating, traveling to exotic places, and even writing memorials for others, a talent that now poetically circles back to celebrate her own remarkable life. Chiquitta was also a certified and practicing Notary Public through The State of Maryland.

Chiquitta’s legacy is one of love, strength, faith, and family. She leaves behind two devoted daughters, Rhonda M. Jones and Portia Y. Thomas; her beloved grandson, Darius Saxton Jones; her brother, Byron N. Johnson (Marjorie) of Hyattsville, Maryland; sisters Shirley “Diane” Segers (Jake) of Mitchellville, Maryland, Paulette Johnson of Los Angeles, California, and Adrian Surratt of Landover, Maryland. She was preceded in death by her parents Ruby Williams Harper and George Johnson, her sisters Starlene T. Jordan and Jackie Palmer, her brother Antoine “Tony” Gatewood, and her cherished grand dog, Dylan Thomas.

Chiquitta Ann Thomas lived a life filled with purpose, laughter, and love. Her spirit will continue to live on through her family, her friends, and every heart she touched along the way. Though she is gone from sight, her light will forever shine brightly in the lives of those who were blessed to know her.

A visitation will be held at Seaton Memorial AME Church, located at 5507 Lincoln Ave, Lanham, MD 20706, on November 4, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. A Celebration of Life will follow at the same location from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.

The committal service will take place at Fort Lincoln Funeral Home & Cemetery, 3401 Bladensburg Rd, Brentwood, MD 20722, on November 4, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm.