Beverly Thomas

THOMAS, Beverly - Of Flint, age 82, died Sunday, November 28, 2004 at Nottingham Place. Funeral service will be held at 2PM Thursday, December 2, 2004 at Bethany Presbyterian Church, 1709 Nebraska Avenue, Reverend James Offrink officiating. Burial in Sunset Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bethany Presbyterian Church or the Alzheimer's Association. Visitation 5-8PM Tuesday and 1-3 and 5-8PM Wednesday at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road. Beverly will be at the church from 1PM Thursday until the time of service. She was born in Flint, Michigan and spent her entire life here. Attended Walker Elementary School, Whittier Junior High School and graduated from Flint Central High School in 1940. Attended Junior College for one year. Went on to earn degrees from Wayne University (B.S.), University of Michigan (M.A.) and from Eastern Michigan (Educational Specialist), working full time and attending classes part time. A member of Bethany Presbyterian Church since March 1945, serving as Elder Trustee, Deacon, Financial Secretary and on several committees. During World War II employed at the A.C. Spark Plug Division for 3½ years as a machine operator and time clerk. Volunteered at the Red Cross Motor Corp during this time. Spent 39 years in education, 10 years at the former Lapeer State Home and Training School as a teacher, summer playground leader, Girl Scout leader. She was with the Flint School system for 29 years in Flint, 1 year at McKinley School as Special Education Teacher, 11 years at Jefferson School, 2 years as Teacher and home Counselor and 9 years as Elementary Principal, 3 years as an Elementary Principal at Longfellow Elementary School and 14 years as Principal of Summerfield School, retiring in June 1984. She was a member of Alpha Omega chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma listed in Who's Who of U.S. Women. She belonged to several organizations including Flint Education Association, Michigan Education Association-life member, International Council of Exceptional Children-Secretary Treasurer, Flint Elementary Principals-Secretary, Michigan Association of Elementary Principals-Professional Affairs, Michigan Association of Elementary Principals-Professional Affairs-Membership Chairman, Flint Congress of School Administrators-President, National Education Association, National Elementary Principals, Charter Member of National Community School Association, Charter Member of Delta Kappa Gamma (now past member), life member of MARSP. She received several recognitions for Flint Community Schools- Appreciation for dedicated and outstanding service as Elementary Principal, Jefferson Community School-Commendation for Meritorious service award, Michigan Association of Elementary Principals, Michigan State University-Participation in Teacher Preparation Program, Proclamation from Mayor Sharp of Flint, Resolution from Flint City Council, Resolution from Genesee County Board of Commissioners, Resolution from Michigan Senate, Who's Who of American Women and Who's Who in the Midwest. Surviving are brother, Grover and wife June Thomas of Burton; nieces, Judy and husband Don Nicholson of Davison, Beverly LeClear of Flint, Linda Molnar of Grand Blanc, Nancy and husband Stephen Fruin of Texas, Patricia and husband Jim Sumner of Flint, Deborah and husband Jim Patterson of Nevada, Diane and husband Lincoln Ward of Miesick MI; nephews, Thomas and wife Babette Frazier of Colorado, Jeffrey and wife Terri Frazier of Wyoming, Grover B. and wife Paula Thomas III Jackson, Kevin Thomas of Burton, John and wife Susan Thomas of Arizona; many great nieces and nephews and several great-great-nieces and nephews. A special friend Joan Bielic of Flint. Preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Virginia Frazier and Jean Brown and a niece, Sandra DeSonia. A special thank-you to Nottingham Place and Genesys Hospice for their love and support.