A Celebration Service Honoring the Life of Mrs. Ruth Naomi Wilson Thomas, Tuesday, January 24, 2017, 11:00 A.M., Cascade United Methodist Church 3144 Cascade Road, Southwest, Atlanta, Georgia 30311, Reverend Lawrence Young, Senior Pastor

February 15, 1921 - January 17, 2017
Ruth Naomi Wilson Thomas was born on February 15, 1921 in Lynchburg, South Carolina to Claude and Maggie Wilson. The eldest of four children (two of whom are deceased), Ruth grew up on the family farm as an active member of the Presbyterian Church. She received her B.S. degree in Home Economics from Barber-Scotia Junior College in Concord, North Carolina. Mrs. Thomas was a born educator whose teaching career began in 1943 and continued for many years.
Ruth met her husband when she was in high school and he was in college. She would later write, "From the beginning, we enjoyed each other's company immensely, although we indulged in very simple pleasures-reading the funny papers together, talking, sharing dreams." This became the essence of their relationship: an absolutely unbreakable bond born of a "beautiful friendship" and underpinned by profound love, trust, joy, companionship, sharing, and support. In 1945, she married James Samuel Thomas-her "Sammye"-and the couple moved to Atlanta. This blessed union would last for 65 years on this earth, until Bishop Thomas' death in 2010. Four loving daughters would complete the family.
In 1951, Mrs. Thomas enrolled in graduate classes at Cornell while her husband pursued his Ph.D. and, after a brief return to Atlanta, in 1953 the family moved to Nashville, Tennessee where her husband took a position with the Methodist Church. In addition to raising her family, teaching, and supporting her husband's career in myriad ways, Ruth Thomas was very active in community, church, and youth programs during their time in Nashville, which was witness to great upheaval in civil rights and race relations.
In 1964, Rev. Dr. James Thomas was elected Bishop of the United Methodist Church and made church history with his assignment to the previously all-white conference of Iowa. Mrs. Thomas's spirit was crucial to the family adjustment to the entirely different culture, race, demographics, and climate of Iowa after a lifetime in the Black South. She helped instill in her children "the folly of prejudice, and the beauty of diversity"-most importantly, about the power of the human spirit. Her consummate grace and poise soon became known throughout the state, bringing her great admiration and quieting the voices that might otherwise rally against her presence in the Episcopal residence. As a team, Bishop and Mrs. Thomas established themselves in their roles with great faith, integrity, and accessibility. At the end of the then-maximum stay of eight years in one Episcopal area, Iowa laypeople successfully campaigned to retain them for yet another four-year term. In 1976, Bishop Thomas was appointed to the East Ohio area. He and Mrs. Thomas worked hand-in-hand in this assignment until 1988, when they retired from the episcopacy.

As the wife and partner of the Bishop and in her own right, Mrs. Thomas balanced speaking engagements, conferences, world travel, spiritual retreats, hosting of events, and many other activities with motherhood. She did so with profound grace and apparent ease. Now in "retirement," Mrs. Thomas remained active in United Methodist and community programs while her husband taught at Southern Methodist University in Dallas (1988-1992) and at Emory University in Atlanta (1992-1996).

Ruth Thomas was a woman of so many wonderful qualities! Widely admired for her incredible generosity of spirit and deeply caring nature, among her greatest gifts were also the love, nurturing, joy, and insight that she so earnestly shared with others. She was quietly brave and deeply compassionate. At age 52, she signed up for a YMCA class for the "Terribly Terrified of the Water," and then graduated to the Life Saving Class. As a certified life guard, she eagerly volunteered to work with the Y's program for non-ambulatory children. This is one of countless examples of her overcoming a personal challenge for the express purpose of helping others.

Mrs. Thomas is survived by three daughters: Gloria, Margaret, and Patricia; four

grandchildren: Ramona, Sarita, Ashley, and Christopher; and one great-granddaughter,

Zayia. Through Gloria's marriage to Thomas Pillow, the Thomases acquired two other

grandchildren-Shantell and Thomas Pillow III (Trey), great-granddaughter Raven, and

great-great grandson Ashton. Mrs. Thomas is also survived by younger sister Alethia Elreita

George, niece Alicia George, and Alicia's children Samaria and Sy IV, all of Pittsburgh. Her

beloved husband of 65 years and her eldest daughter, Claudia, predeceased her in 2010

and 2011, respectively. In addition to other cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives,

Mrs. Thomas's life was profoundly enriched by a huge extended family of loving friends.

Her loved ones looked to her as the wise and nurturing family matriarch, and so many

lovingly called her "Mama Ruth".



Many have described her as an angel on earth. Now she is with our Lord in Heaven. God rest your beautiful soul, Ruth Thomas. We love you so very much.

P elude

"Thanks Be To Thee'- G.F. Handel

Organist

Processional

"Total Praise'

Mr. Luther Washington II Musician

Greetings

Reverend Lawrence L. Young Reverend Dr. Bernice W. Kirkland
Bishop Peter D. Weaver, Council of Bishops

Hymn of Celebration

"For All The Saints'

#711

Scriptures Old Testament
New Testament
Gospel Prayer Celebration in Song

Ruth 1:16-17 Revelation 21: 1-4 John 14:1-6 "God of Grace And God of Glory''

Mrs. Cynthia B. Palmer Episcopal Spouses
Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton NCJ College of Bishops
Reverend RobertS. King
Reverend Dr. Herbert Marbury
#577

Words of Comfort Reflections (three minutes please)
Lighting the Candle of Remembrance

Bishop Gregory V. Palmer
Reverend L Mark George Re'lerend Marvin King
Dr .. Glona Thomas Pillow

Celebration in Song

"Sanctus ' - CaGounocl

Eulogy

Bishop WOOdle W. White

Musical Reflections

"How Great Thou Art'
"Blessed Assurance' "Great Is Thy Faithfulness'

Mr. Luther Washington II Musician

Acknowledgements Recessional

"Ole To Joy'

Reverend Lawrence L. Young
Mr. Luther Washington II Musician

Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens 5755 Mallory Road
College Park, Georgia 30349

Celebration of Life Ministry, Cascade United Methodist Church
Thomas M. Scott Don M. Roman, Sr. G. Brady Stringer
Nick Harvey Thomas Pillow
Paul Easley
The Thomas family is deeply moved by the many thoughtful prayers, calls, visits, cards, flowers, meals, acts of kindness, and other blessings that have come from so many of you, especially at this time. The family also wishes to express sincere appreciation to Harbor Grace Hospice for the excellent medical, social, and spiritual care it provided for over four years. Thank you, Cascade United Methodist Church, for the exceptional care, nurture, and support you have shown to the entire Thomas family throughout the years. We hold you all in our hearts, and we know that our beloved Ruth Naomi Wilson Thomas is with us in spirit even as we bid her farewell from this earth. Thank you so much.
~81/tW~ qp~
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