Irene Shepard Thomas

Irene Shepard Thomas was born to Elma and Everneza Pickett Shepard on November 27, 1935, in Boston, Georgia. She graduated from Campbell Street High School in 1953 where she played basketball.

After living in Philadelphia, PA, for a short period of time, she relocated to Daytona Beach and worked as the Supervisor of the Classified Department for the Daytona Beach News Journal for more than 30 years.

Irene was an active member of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church for over 60 years where she served on numerous committees. In December 2020, she relocated to Tampa, Florida, and served at The New St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church where she was loved and affectionately known as Momma Thomas.

Irene enjoyed socializing with the members of the Senior Oasis Group at the Cherry Recreational Center on George W. Engram Boulevard, thrift shopping, traveling, eating Dairy Queen ice cream cones and spending time with her family.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years Roosevelt Thomas; her parents, Elma and Everneza Pickett Shepard; brothers Roscoe, Elma, Jr., Johnnie, Perman, and James Freddie, and sister Bernice; and a daughter – Mary Williams.

She leaves to cherish her wonderful memories three children: Alfred (Florida), Bettye Gail (Brian) Samuel, and Evanger (Joseph) Cunningham; 11 grandchildren: Alfred, Jr., Maurice, Kenneth, Marquis (Susie), Gerald, Octavia, Dennis, Shivajio, Frederica, Zya, and LaTasha; 35 great grandchildren, 9 great-great-grandchildren; brothers Russell Shepard (Loretta) and Emmett Shepard (Carol); and godson Kory Drayton. Additional survivors include Brother-in-law John L. Thomas (Annie) and Sister-in-Law Endia, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Gathering of family and friends on Friday October 2, 5 pm until 8 pm at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home 548 North Nova Road, Ormond Beach, Florida.

Funeral Services Saturday October 3,12 noon at the Volusia Memorial Funeral Home with interment to follow at Volusia Memorial Park.