Clara Mae Thomas

Clara Mae Thomas was born in Carrollton GA on May 12, 1945, to the late Curtis and Arvella Thomas. On Monday, July 14, 2025, God stopped by Otterbein Gahanna Senior Life Facility to escort her home to be with the Lord.

Clara was raised and educated in Columbus, Ohio. She graduated from Marion Franklin High School in 1963. Clara had a passion for taking care of the sick. As a teenager she was a volunteer Candy Striper at Children's Hospital where she was later employed as a Nursing Assistant in 1965, attending The Columbus School of Practical Nursing while working and graduated receiving her license to practice nursing in 1973. She worked as an LPN II on the Neurology and Burn Units and in Home Health and Primary Care Clinics until her retirement from Nationwide Children's Hospital in 2007. She leaves behind a legacy of service and compassion.

Clara received the Lord and was baptized at an early age. A lifelong member of Second Shiloh Baptist Church she joined as a teenager and served in many capacities down through the years. Most recently she was President of the Nurses Corp, member of the Voices of Praise Choir, Kitchen Committee, Planning Committee, Women's Ministry and attended Sunday School and Prayer Meeting faithfully until her health prevented her from coming. Clara took pride in planning many church activities including the annual Tennessee trip. She loved the Lord and did not mind shouting it during church service.

A woman of grace, style, and elegance, she loved shopping, watching Ohio State football games and spending time with her family and friends. She loved traveling, especially to the Jones Family Reunion. Her most prized badge in life was being a mother, grandmother and being called "NANA." Clara loved her children and grandchildren with all her heart and taught them about the Lord. One of her many sayings to them was "If you don't do nothing else make sure you pray."

Clara is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Curtis Thomas Jr., and Tyrone Thomas, grandson Kenny Thomas, brother-in law Freddie Morris, sister-in law Brenda Thomas and best friend Diane Hardy.

Clara leaves to cherish her precious memories, son Kevin (Carol) Thomas, daughters Cynthia Jones, Andrea (Bernard) Norton and Jamie (Jay) Thomas-Swann, sisters Lucille Morris, Jeanette (Ronell) Jones, Patsy Thomas; brother Gregory (Deborah) Thomas; grandchildren Maria Jones, Shawn Thomas, James Littlejohn, Jeremy Littlejohn, Jamie (Mercedes) Littlejohn, Jasmine Jones, Keith, Kevin, Cameron, and Jaedon Thomas, Jaeda and Jaelee Yates, Jaesion and Jaeson Swann; 18 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews other relatives and friends including Evelyn Martin, Judy Sharpe and Marian Williams.


Visitation will be held on July 31, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am with a Funeral Service immediately following at Second Shiloh Baptist Church, 1295 Faber Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43207.

To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit her Guest Book.