Annie Lou Thomas

Annie Lou (Howard) Thomas seventy-eight, was born to the late Emmanuel and Lucious Howard on February 23, 1932 in Cochran, Georgia. She received her education in the Cochran, GA School system. At an early age she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and joined Piney Grove Baptist Church, Cochran, GA. Annie was a Godly daughter and was very helpful to her family. In 1949, she met and married the late Tommie J. Thomas and from this union four children were born. In 1955, she moved to Cincinnati, OH and in 1962 the family relocated to Paterson, New Jersey. After relocating to Paterson, NJ she joined Canaan Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Gadson L. Graham. Annie worked for Barnet Memorial Hospital in Paterson for thirty-two years as a dietary aide before retiring in 1997. After retirement she relocated to Augusta, GA with her daughter and son-in-law and there she joined the Strong Tower Christian Fellowship Church of Augusta, GA under the leadership of Rev. Holland. She really enjoyed her new Church Family and Friends and attended church faithfully until her illness prevented her. Annie was an avid reader, she enjoyed doing cross-word puzzles, watching soap operas and loved caring for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was famous for her baked chicken and stuffing, collard greens and banana pudding. Annie was predeceased by her loving husband, Tommie Jay Thomas, devoted daughter, Carolyn L. Deas, granddaughter, Asia Streets, four brothers, one sister and son-in-law, Moses Wilborn. After a brief illness, early Sunday morning, October 24, 2010 God wrapped Annie in his loving arms and took her home from labor to reward. She leaves to cherish loving memories: two daughters, Linda Wilborn of Paterson, NJ and Glenda Faye Thomas of Augusta, GA; one son, Samuel "Skeet" Thomas (Dale) of Paterson, NJ; two sisters, Lillie Mae "Polly" Lawson (Adele) of Macon, GA and Marie Burns of Cochran, GA; five grandsons, Anthony, Gerald 'Travis" McDougald, Michael Deas (Leah) and Trevor Thomas all of Paterson, NJ, Brian Deas (Crystal) of Atlanta, GA; four granddaughters, Dierdre Curry (Mark) of Atlanta, GA, Tameika Murphy of Augusta, GA, Karen McDougald of Paterson, NJ and Nekeia Colcloughly (DelShawn) of Prospect Park, NJ; thirteen great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; Ora Jane Bell was like a daughter; one son-in-law, Ralph Deas of Augusta, GA; brothers-in-law, Willie and Howard Thomas of Cincinnati, OH; sisters-in-law, Dollie Howard of Atlanta, GA, Celestine