Bert Thomas

1934 - 2014
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Mr. Bert Tillery Thomas, beloved husband of Audrey Mitchell Thomas, father of Adrienne Thomas-Frazier, and grandfather of Ariana Yvonne and Sydney Elise Frazier, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 14, 2014. Services for Mr. Thomas will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at the Trinity C.M.E. Church, with the Rev. Herman "Skip" Mason as officiant and the Rev. Jerry Poole as eulogist. The interment will be in Walker Memorial Park. **The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at Trinity C.M.E Church, 2930 Glenn Hills Drive from 6:30 8:00 p.m. (All honorary pallbearers are asked to assemble at the church on Thursday at 10:15 a.m.). 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 of Muskogee County, and later, those of Richmond County. He was proud to have been a member of the last class to matriculate at Haines Institute in 1949, and was also one of the first to graduate from Lucy Laney High School in 1950. He attended Paine College and graduated from Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. Mr. Thomas continued his education by earning his Master of Education from South Carolina State University degree and the Specialist in Education degree from Tuskegee University. During his matriculation at Tennessee State, Mr. Thomas met the love of 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 Army (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 of Education. His membership in numerous affiliate organizations included: the Richmond County Teachers and Educators Association (life membership); State Director, National Association of Federally Impacted Schools; Area Xii Director, Georgia Retired Educators Association (life membership); and Chairman, Georgia Association of Educators Minority Involvement Committee. In addition, over 50 years ago, Mr. Thomas was one of the founders of the Richmond County Teachers Federal Credit Union and served on the board until his death. Always mindful of his civic duty, Mr. Thomas was a member of the Richmond County Board of 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 of the Year for Georgia Head Start, 1999-2000. In 2011, The CSRA EOA Inc. Head Start honored him with the opening of the Bert T. Thomas Head Start Center at the Y. Mr. Thomas was active in several social/service organizations. A life member of 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 of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington DC. Bert was the first African-American president of the Augusta Optimist Club, was elected Lt. Governor for the Georgia District of Optimist International, and served as International Diplomat for the organization. He enjoyed the camaraderie and fellowship of the Ambassadors Bridge Club for many years. Bert was a charter member and a chairman of the East Augusta Fire Department. He was affectionately known as "Daddy Bert" to the teens of the Augusta Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Incorporated. Mr. Thomas was a committed member of Trinity C.M.E Church for over 70 years. He presided over the Board of Stewards, the Board of Trustees, and the Lay Council. He was a member of the Board of Christian Education and lent his voice to the Music Ministry as a singer in the Male Chorus and the Voices of Trinity. Mr. Thomas was predeceased by 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, AZ) and Clarence Baskin (Ft. Mitchell, Maryland); grandniece Elizabeth Johnson; grandnephew Wesley Johnson; goddaughters Beverly Myers Tarver, Marsha Jones Moorman, Kathy Dunn Johnson; godson, Jermaine Tyler and special childhood friends, Marion Barnes, Leonard Dawson, and Henry Darlington; and other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be given to the Thomas-Gray Memorial Fund for Children and Youth Ministries at Trinity C.M.E. Church. W. H. Mays Mortuary, 1221 James Brown Boulevard, Augusta, GA 30901. (706)722-6401.