Photo courtesy of Smith & Gaston Funeral Services, Inc. - Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Surpora Sparks Thomas, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Emeritus of Children’s Hospital of Alabama, affectionately known as “Mrs. T” or “Ms. Children’s Hospital”, passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2020. She is a graduate of Westfield High School, Grady School of Nursing (Atlanta, GA) and University of Alabama in Birmingham where she received her BSN. She is an Alumnus of the first Executive MBA class of Samford University. She retired from Children’s Hospital of Alabama in 2010 after 48 years of service, where the Surpora Thomas Pediatric Nursing Education and Research Center was named in her honor. She was the anointed Monday night Bible Study teacher at New Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Dolomite.
Her lessons are heard Sunday mornings on Heaven’s 610 WAGG radio. She is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years Jule Thomas, III, 4 daughters Sonya Thomas (Douglasville GA), Sherri Thomas (Nashville TN), Julena (Eric) Johnson and Leah (Tremaine)Wilson, 6 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, 1 sister, 2 brothers, 5 sister in laws, 2 brother in laws and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, spiritual sons and daughters.
Visitation will be Friday October 9, 2020 from 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Smith & Gaston Funeral Home. Celebration of Life services (for immediate family) will be held Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 1:00 pm, Smith & Gaston Chapel (masks required). Interment will follow at Patterson Forest Grove Cemetery (Pleasant Grove). Services will be streamed on Smith &; Gaston Facebook page. Funeral service will be held Saturday October 10, 2020 at 1:00 P.M. at Smith & Gaston Southside Chapel, with burial in Patterson Forest Grove.
Read MoreA few minutes ago I thought about Surpora, who was my boss at Childrens from 1981-1985. My heart sank to see that she had passed away. I hoped I would be able catch up and thank her for being an incredible mentor. I´ve had a successful 40+ year nursing career and I am grateful for her guidance and inspiration so many years ago.
Linda Longshore Waldschmidt BSN, RN
April 03, 2023 | Work
As the final broadcast of Living Biblical Principles Bible Study, taught by Anointed Teacher, Surpora Sparks Thomas, aired this morning on WAGG at 8:00a.m., I listened with a heavy, yet grateful heart. Though I have not been able to express my thoughts before now, today seemed to be the perfect time.
My heart was DEEPLY saddened on the night of Saturday, October 3, 2020, when our Bible Study/Prayer Warriors Line received the news that our DEAR teacher had made her transition from labor...
Lisa Hopson-Massey
December 27, 2020 | Fairfield, AL | Student
Our Spiritual Mother has helped us on this Spiritual Journey. She will truly be missed
... “A Patient, Kind, Loving , Caring, Gracious , and Knowledgeable individual.” There are more adjectives that can describe the life that she lived. But “ The life that she lived can speak for her I can attest to “An Angel Gone ,” “An Angel lighting the Way”
Rev. & Mrs Elbert & Mary Jones, Sr.
October 17, 2020 | Bessemer, AL | Friend
Our condolences to Supora's family. Sidney and I graduated from Westfield High School with Supora and Jule. May God bless your family. We will keep you in our prayers.
Friends forever,
Sidney and Hattye Wallace
Sidney & Hattye Wallace
October 14, 2020 | Friend
To the family of Sis. Surpora Thomas;
I never met Sis. Surpora in person but I know her in the spirit. I would wake up on Sunday mornings and first thing turn on 610 am just to hear her dividing the word of God in a way that a not even a fool could error. She was so uplifting for the body of Christ. Sister Surpora would have someone read and then she would go in and explain. I loved her teaching and the strong faith she had in the Lord. We have lost a jewel but yet she have left a nugget...
jackie
October 12, 2020 | Friend
Surpora Thomas was an inspiration and a role model to me when I worked as a student and nurse at Children ‘s Hospital in the 70’s and 80’s. She always gave me Godly Wisdom and inspired me to be the best person I could be. I was proud to call her Leader “Boss Lady” and to see her smiling face. And she would always wink her eye to acknowledge me and other nurses as gesture to let us know I will always acknowledge my nurses. I was so honored to work for Mrs. Thomas. Condolences to the...
Dr. Shelia Woodard
October 11, 2020 | Coworker
I have known Mrs. Thomas a long time. We were church members at First Baptist Powderly. She had always been a Christian lady. I am very sorry to her of her passing. We hate to see our loved ones go you know that she has been living to be with God a long time. I pray that God will comfort your family.
Valencia Lavender Johnson
October 10, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Patrece Mitchell Tillery
October 10, 2020 | Friend
Mrs T was my boss for over 40 plus years. She was my mentor, role model, and a visionary leader. Praying for the family.
Ann Ross
October 10, 2020 | Birmingham, AL | Coworker