Sarah Thomas

Sarah Thomas

Mrs. Sarah Thomas, 91, of Salem, AL passed away Saturday, July 2, 2022, at her home. The funeral service for Mrs. Thomas will be held at 11 am (CST) Saturday, July 9, 2022, at Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church in Opelika, AL with interment in Garden Hills Cemetery. Her remains will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the service. Rev. Clifford E. Jones will officiate. Public viewing and a family hour will be held Friday from 4-6 pm (CST) at Peterson & Williams Funeral Home. Masks are required.

Mrs. Thomas was a devoted member of Pleasant View Baptist Church in Salem. Her services included President of the Usher Board and Deacon Wives and Chairperson of the Sick and Shut-in Ministry.

Mrs. Thomas was a 1951 graduate of East Street High School in Opelika, AL and went on to attend Tuskegee University, Auburn University, and The University of Alabama. Upon the passing of her son, Todd Phillip Franklin Thomas, from sickle cell disease, Mrs. Thomas became a torchbearer for education on and treatment for the condition. She received extensive training from Grady and Emory Hospitals in Atlanta, GA. Through her advocacy, the first sickle cell program in Alabama was established, and then Governor George C. Wallace declared February 1975 as "State Sickle Cell Month." Alabama governors still honor this tribute yearly, and newborns are screened at all hospitals statewide because of Mrs. Thomas's work.

Mrs. Thomas is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Benny Thomas Jr.; son, Todd Phillip Thomas; stepsons, James Sanford and Benny Thomas III; loving parents, Arthur Ward Sr. and Maggie Mae Ward; sister, Mary Cochran; and four brothers, Arthur Ward Jr, Johnny Ward, Bobby Ward, and Harry Ward.

Her life and legacy will be cherished by her devoted sons, Gregory A. Thomas of Salem, AL and Ronald M. (Sherrie) Thomas of Opelika AL; a devoted daughter, Maggie L. Thomas of Auburn, AL; grandchildren, Ronica T. Thomas of Montgomery, AL, Meagan D. (Vincent) Andrews of Birmingham, AL and Ronald M. Thomas Jr. of Opelika, AL; one step daughter-in-law, Deborah Sanford; step grandchildren, Dr. Vytoris Sandord-Maddox (Gregory) of Fort Mitchell, AL, Dimesha Sanford and Jitillian Sanford, both of Smiths, AL; three sisters, Gladys Freelon of Chicago, IL, A. Frances Kimber of Phenix City, AL, and Joyce Upshaw of Salem, AL; four sisters-in- law, Juanita Martin of Compton, CA, Annie Mae Graham and Helen Thomas both, of Salem, AL, and Jean Ward of Cortland, NY. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, family, and friends.