Helena E.B. Thomas

On Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, God chose to call His child and our beloved Mrs. Helena Elizabeth Banks Thomas to her eternal mansion with Him.

Helena, fondly known to many as "Sitta," was blessed with 88 years of life with us. She departed this life at Southside Regional Medical Center having battled an extended illness. She resided for many years at 1130 Halifax St. and most recently at The Lafayette House, 214 Sycamore St., Petersburg, Va., and the Golden Living Center in Petersburg, Va.

Helena was born in Petersburg, Va., to the late Willie and Maude Stainback Banks. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Bolden Thomas of Baltimore; son, Robert Michael Thomas; three brothers, Charles, William and Theodore Banks; and a sister, Katie Banks Pritchett.

Helena moved to Baltimore earlier in her life and lived there several years before returning to her hometown of Petersburg, Va.

She committed her life to Christ at an early age and was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, Harrison Street, Petersburg, Va. Helena was a childcare provider, companion and homemaker. She loved music, dancing and the color red, but her greatest love was her family. Although our hearts are heavy and thoughts of letting her go are almost more than we can bear, we know that our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend is at peace, resting comfortably with her eternal Father.

She leaves to cherish her memory, three loving daughters, Jean E. Harrington, Karen T. Scott and Gwendolyn V. Britt (James), all of Petersburg, Va.; three loving sons, Jabari Shabazz aka Lanny Thomas (Cassandra) of Dinwiddie, Va., Gregory Thomas (Tyanne) of Huntsville, Ala., and Kenneth "Hard Time" Thomas of Petersburg, Va.; two stepchildren, Willie Fryson of Baltimore and Nicole Shuron of Catonsville, Md.; a loving sister, Maude B. Brown of Colonial Heights, Va.; 15 grandchildren, Sharon H. Austin, Terry Harrington, Rami K. Shabazz, Cindy Hughes, Neville Harrington, KiKi Thomas, Sayeed Shabazz, Dina Scott, Jamarr (JD) Thomas, Gregory McKinnon, Nicole Scott, Terryn Thomas, LaNae Britt, James Derrick Britt and Shakeya Freeman; 16 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including a devoted caregiver and friend, Mary Johnson.

Special thanks to the staff of the Golden Living Center, the 5th Floor East Unit of Southside Regional Medical Center and The Hospice of Virginia, Richmond, Va.

A funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010, at First Baptist Church, 236 Harrison St., Petersburg, Va.; the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Tillman, pastor, officiating. The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010, at the funeral establishment.

The family will receive friends at the following residences: her daughter, Karen T. Scott, 424 Roundtop Ave., Petersburg, Va., (804) 861-1228, and son, Jabari Shabazz aka Lanny Thomas, 4110 Ashley Lane, Petersburg, Va., (804) 732-9324.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mrs. Thomas online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of the J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Ave., Petersburg, Va., (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.