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Thursday, June 19, 2014 11:00 A.M.
TRINITY CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2930 Glenn Hills Drive Augusta, Georgia
Reverend H erm an "Skip" Mason, Jr. - Officiant Pastor, Trinity C.M.E. Church Reverend Jerry Poole - Eulogist
Pastor, Rock of Ages C.M.E. Church

BERT TILLERY THOMAS, beloved husband o f Audrey Mitchell Thomas, father o f Adrienne Thomas-Frazier, and grandfather o f Ariana Yvonne and Sydney Elise Frazier, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 14, 2014.
Mr. Thomas was born on March 14, 1934 in Columbus, GA to the late Mr. and Mrs. James A. (Patience) Thomas. His early education took place in the public schools o f Muskogee County, and later, those o f Richmond County. He was proud to have been a member o f the last class to matriculate at Haines Institute in 1949, and was also one o f the first to graduate from Lucy Laney High School in 1950. He attended Paine College and graduated from Tennessee State University with a Bachelor o f Science degree. Mr. Thomas continued his education by earning his Master o f Education degree from South Carolina State University and the Specialist in Education degree from Ibskegee University.
During his matriculation at Tennessee State, Mr. Thomas met the love o f his life, the former Audrey Mitchell, affectionately called "Bonnie." They married in 1957 and settled in Augusta, GA after Mr. Thomas completed his service in the United States Arm y (Fort Dietrich, MD). From this union, their only daughter Adrienne was born.
Mr. Thomas' career in education began at Levi White Elementary as teacher and football coach. He then worked at Clara Jenkins Elementary in the same capacity before his tenure as teacher and counselor at A.R. Johnson High School. During his career in the Richmond County Public Schools, he served as principal for Clara Jenkins, Ursula Collins, and Barton Chapel Elementary Schools. Mr. Thomas retired in 1992 as the Chapter II Director for Federal Funds, Richmond County Board o f Education. His membership in numerous affiliate organizations included: the Richmond County Teacher and Educators Association (life membership); State Director, National Association o f Federally Impacted Schools; Area Xii Director, Georgia Retired Educators Association (life membership); and Chairman, Georgia Association o f Educators Minority Involvem ent Committee. In addition, over 50 years ago, Mr. Thomas was one o f the founders o f the Richmond County Teachers Federal Credit Union and served on the board until his death.

Always mindful o f his civic duty, Mr. Thomas was a member o f the Richmond County Board o f Assessors for over 30 years. He chaired the Policy Council for the CSRA Head Start, headed the Region IV Head Start Advocacy Committee, and was named Humanitarian o f the Year for Georgia Head Start, 1999-2000. In 2011, The CSRA EOA Inc. Head Start honored him with the opening o f the Bert T. Thomas Head Start Center at the Y.
Mr. Thomas was active in several social/service organizations. A life member o f Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated for many years, he served his fraternity in several capacities - as Alpha Chi Lambda Chapter president, Area Director, National Chair for Life Membership, and as an ardent supporter o f the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington DC. Bert was the first African-American president o f the Augusta Optimist Club, was elected Lt. Governor for the Georgia District o f Optimist International, and served as International Diplomat for the organization. He enjoyed the camaraderie and fellowship o f the Ambassadors' Bridge Club for many years. Bert was a charter member and a chairman o f the East Augusta Fire Department. He was affectionately known as "Daddy Bert" to the teens o f the Augusta Chapter o f Jack & Jill o f America, Incorporated.
Mr. Thomas was a committed member o f Trinity C.M.E Church for over 70 years. He presided over the Board o f Stewards, the Board o f Trustees, and the Lay Council. He was a member o f the Board o f Christian Education and lent his voice to the Music Ministry as a singer in the Male Chorus and the Voices o f Trinity.
Mr. Thomas was predeceased b y his parents and his brother, James Alton Thomas, Jr. He is survived by his wife Audrey; his daughter Adrienne Thomas-Frazier; his granddaughters Ariana and Sydney Frazier; his sister-in-law Claudia Maryland; brother-in-law Carl Mitchell, Sr.; nieces Kimala Johnson (Greenville, SC), Sheila Mitchell Moody (Memphis, TN ); nephew Carl Mitchell, Jr.; cousins Dr. Mildred Hill-Lubin (Gainesville, FL), Robert Anderson (Columbus, GA), Christine Kennard (Columbia, MD), Brenda Anderson (Charlotte, NC), Tommy Anderson (Midlothian, VA), Luther Anderson (Gilbert, A Z ) knd Clarence Baskin (Ft. Mitchell, Maryland); grandniece Elizabeth Johnson; grandnephew Wesley Johnson; goddaughters Beverly Myers Ikrver, Marsha Jones Moorman, Kathy Dunn; godson, Jermaine Tyler; special childhood friends, Marion Barnes, Leonard Dawson, and Henry Darlington; and other relatives and friends.

'ekvice
Reverend Herman "Skip" Mason, Jr. - Officiant Pastor, Trinity C.M.E. Church
The Prelude................................................................................ Dr. Ann D. Poole, pianist Mr. Alvin Blount, organist
*The Processional...................................................................................................... "Largo"
*The Hymn of Praise................................................. The Unity Choir & Congregation Hymn #23 - "To G od Be the Glory"
*The Apostles' Creed
The Prayer in Song............................................................................ Mrs. Joyce McCaster "The Lord's Prayer"
The Scriptures: Psalms 2 7 ................................................................. Reverend J. Ronzell Maness Presiding Elder, Augusta-Sparta District C.M.E. Church, Sixth Episcopal District Revelation 2 1 :1 -7 .................................................... Miss Margaret Parramore Member, Trinity C.M.E. Church
The Ministry in M usic.............................................................................. The Unity Choir "The Lord is My Light"
Reflections (Two Minutes) Hon. Marion Barnes - Best Friend
Mrs. Ernestine Smith - CSRA Head Start Mrs. Helena Thompson - Lucy C. Laney High School Class of '50
Mr. Roscoe Brown, II - Member, Trinity C.M.E. Church

The Ministry in M usic...............................................................................The Unity Choir "Blessed Assurance"
(Berts Favorite Hymn)

Reflections (Two Minutes)
Bro. Wymond Smith - President, Alpha Chi Lambda Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Pastor Hardie Davis - Mayor-Elect, Augusta-Richmond County Mr. Robert Anderson - Family

The Acknowledgements

Ms. Kathy Dunn Goddaughter

Solo

Mrs. Funmi Harmon

"We Shall Behold Him"

The Words of C om fort..................................................................... Reverend Jerry Poole Former Pastor, Trinity C.M.E. Church Pastor, Rock of Ages C.M.E. Church

*The Invitation to Christian Discipleship............................................Reverend Mason "Just As I Am"

The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated H ym n................................... Dr. Poole Mr. Blount

*The Recessional........................................................................ Dr. Ann D. Poole, pianist Mr. Alvin Blount, organist
"7he Hallelujah Chorus"

Interment

Walker Memorial Park

*Please stand as you are able.

/

4:f3 -f8

13But I would not have you to he ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word o f the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming o f the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord him self shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice o f the archangel, and with the trump o f God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths o f righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow o f death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence o f mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days o f my life: and I will dwell in the house o f the LORD for ever.

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Barrick Blocker Roscoe Brown Andre Goodman Wesley Johnson Steven Kendrick Doug McKenzie Carl Mitchell, Jr.
Oz Nesbitt
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated The Ambassadors Bridge Club
Augusta Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. Augusta (GA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, Connecting Links
CSRA Head Start, Region IV Haines Normal and Industrial Institute Alumni
Lucy Craft Laney High School, Class of 1950 Trinity C.M.E. Church Officers
Trinity C.M.E. Church Stewardesses Ushers
The family wishes to express sincere gratitude and deep appreciation to the many friends and organizations for their concern, calls and acts of kindness during the illness of our loved one and during our time of bereavement. We praise God for the love and support of our Church family. The family also wishes to express its appreciation for memorial contributions made to the Thomas-Gray Memorial Fund for Children and Youth Ministries at Trinity C.M.E. Church.
W. H. MAYS MORTUARY
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