Meta Thomas

Cleveland Remembers

Beloved Teacher and

Public Servant

Cleveland Independent School District educator and former city council member Meta Garvey Thomas, 91, passed away on Friday, May 1, 2015 surrounded by her family at home in the Austin area.

Meta Thomas devoted her professional life to educating young people. A native of the Republic of Panamá and longtime resident of Cleveland, she earned a bachelor's degree in English from Bishop College, a master's degree in English from Prairie View A&M University and went on to pursue advanced doctoral studies in Spanish at Sam Houston State University.

During her five-decade tenure at Cleveland ISD, she served with distinction as a member of the faculty at Cleveland High School and the former Douglass High School teaching Spanish and English. She was sponsor to a number of student organizations, including the National Honor Society, Spanish Club and was an advisor to award-winning poetry and drama competitors for the University Interscholastic League. She also provided adult education classes in English as a Second Language to assist non-English speakers toward educational, social, and career advancement.

Mrs. Thomas was an esteemed civic leader who made history as the first woman elected to the Cleveland City Council in 1985 where she served three terms and as mayor pro tem.Thomas lent her time and talents to the Cleveland Library Board, City of Cleveland Charter Committee, City Park Board,Board of Adjustments, Chamber of Commerce, Precinct 20 Executive Committee, Progressive Women's Club, and the American Cancer Society.She also awarded college scholarships to deserving students through the William N. Thomas Memorial Scholarship, a fund established in 1985 to honor the legacy of her late husband, who was also a former educator and Cleveland city council member. In her later years, Thomas became a gifted artist who loved to share her paintings with friends and family.

Respected and admired by her profession, Mrs. Thomas was nominated for the 1995 Texas Excellence Award for Outstanding High School Teachers, sponsored by The University of Texas Ex-Students Association, for her exceptional abilities, and was recognized in May 2004 as Cleveland ISD Teacher of the Month. In 2005, the Texas House of Representatives honored Mrs. Thomas with House Resolution 859 by Representative John Otto, District 18 (Liberty, San Jacinto and Walker Counties).

The passion with which she approachedteaching was an inspiration to all who knew her, and her hard work and dedication to excellence in education have immeasurably enriched the lives of countless colleagues and students. She is survived by her son William N. (Bill) Thomas, III of Huntsville and daughter Nydia D. Thomas of Austin, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and a host of family, friends and favorite students.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 816 North Blair Street in Cleveland. Visitation will be held on the same day beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Final Arrangements Entrusted to the Caring Professionals of:

Mc Duffie's Mortuary, Inc.

"Where Service Begins and Never Ends"

115 W. Hamilton St.

Houston, TX 77076

(713) 695-8400

1209 East Street

Cleveland, TX 77327

(281) 592-1963

Mira J. Mc Duffie - CEO ~

Efrem McDuffie- Vice President

Read More