Obituary of Emma Gene Thomas

Emma Gene Thomas (September 26, 1924 - June 24, 2020) Emma Gene Coleman Thomas was born September 26, 1924 in Cumberland, Virginia to Willie and Alma Coleman. Emma affectionately known as 'Mumma', 'Granny', 'Miss Emma Gene', 'Aunt Emma Gene', and 'Sister Thomas' fell asleep in death on June 24, 2020. Emma was the last survivor of her immediate family. She was predeceased by her husband, Wilbert C. Thomas Sr., her parents Willie and Alma Coleman, her brother Beverly Coleman, her two sisters Rebie Pearl Hill and Mary Louise Taylor; two of her sons Lloyd Thomas and Don Thomas, and two of her daughters Gwendolyn Covington and Phyllis James. As a child, Emma Gene received an elementary school education and was home schooled by her grandmother, Mary B. Harris, a certified schoolteacher in Virginia. She and her brother would sit in the primary class to listen while her grandmother taught her students. The grassroot training Emma received served her well throughout her life. Those who knew Emma described her as exceptionally intelligent, wiser, and more mature than her contemporaries. In May 1933 following the job market, a nine-year-old Emma, and her entire family of six; her mom and dad, her only brother, and two sisters migrated from Cumberland, Virginia to Turners Station in Baltimore, Maryland. On May 23, 1941, Emma a teenage bride married the love of her life, Wilbert C. Thomas, Sr. and they began the journey of their lives, united and inseparable, creating a storehouse of memories of their love for one another and the cord that bonded them: Jehovah. That blessed marriage lasted 49 years producing four generations of legacy that she describes as her beautiful flowers. Throughout her life, Emma developed and maintained a reputation as a "God fearing", loyal industrious wife and mother. She loved her family. She gave a 100% to her family, friends, and neighbors (Proverbs 31). Emma was adventurous and loved to travel. She will also be remembered as a fashionable, poised, and graceful woman. Emma was a sharp dresser that loved hats, gloves, and fine jewelry. She always took care of herself. She was known for her unique Virginia twang. And her favorite saying 'No Way'! In 1950, a pivotal point in her life, Emma accepted a Bible study with Jehovah's Witnesses. January 23, 1965, she dedicated her life to Jehovah God and was baptized. The rich spiritual heritage Emma passed onto her immediate family and even wider circle of relatives and friends shows she 'lived a dedicated life'. The strong faith and confidence she had in Jehovah God's promise was truly inspirational. She was a kind and loving person who would not hurt you. She patiently listened, gave you her full attention, made you feel special. She was wise and concise, and she gave all credit to her God Jehovah. Her motto was… pray to Jehovah and be happy! Another part of story takes us to North Carolina, where Emma Thomas was deeply loved by her fellow believers and her neighbors. She had a strong voice and God-fearing personality spending time as a vacation auxiliary pioneer dedicated to helping her Bible students come to love and worship Jehovah God. In 2012, Emma Thomas returned to where it all started, Turners Station, 109 Walnut Avenue to settle down and wait for the new world that Jehovah God promised. She kept up her spiritual routine to the end. She never gave up, never gave in, never gave out. Words cannot express how much our matriarch, sister, and friend will be missed. We patiently await the resurrection. Emma believe with all her heart that ALL of Jehovah's promises will come true…we will rejoice when our beloved Emma Gene who loved each one of us so very much comes back to life. Emma's only wish is that all her family come to know and serve Jehovah. Emma wants to wake up in the new world and see her family there!! Emma Gene Coleman Thomas is survived by: Wilbert & Dietchi Thomas, Jr. of Fayetteville, NC; Ronald & Shelia Thomas of Columbia, MD; James Thomas of Levittown. PA; Larry & Lynette Thomas of Baltimore, MD; Michael & Brenda Thomas of Perryville, MD; Joanne & Gary Mabry of Baltimore, MD; Phillip Thomas of Baltimore, MD; Jean & Tony Richardson of Rocky Mount, NC. She also leaves behind former in-laws: Sylvia J. Thomas; Ramona Thomas; Robert Covington; Vivian Thomas; Darhlnetta Thomas; Sylvia Thomas; Tamara Thomas; Johnnie James; Calvin Tucker; 45 grandchildren, 60 great grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, a host of relatives, and her spiritual family in Jehovah's organization.