JOYCE A.M. THOMAS

  
Dr. JOYCE A.M. THOMAS (Age 77)  
On June 27, 2013 of Colesville, MD, Educational Leader, Political and Community Activist. She was the daughter of the late Eddie Christine Austin and Charles Martin and is survived by two daughters, Donna T. Richardson, EdD (Colesville, MD) and Tonia Bravo Llanten (Westminster MD); two sisters, Dr. Barbara M. Starke and Mrs. Imogene Nelson; and one brother, Abram Martin, and many extended family members and friends. She earned doctorate degrees in Educational Leadership and Psychology and enjoyed a successful career that spanned 40 years in public and private education, national and international educational leadership and administration. Her professional accomplishments include development and introduction of the Head Start Program in Prince George's County, MD and implementation of the K-12 Magnet School initiative nationwide. She served as an independent consultant for local, regional, national, and international governments. She was a celebrated author of many books and articles published through Houghton Mifflin. Her community service included work as an active volunteer on various committees and boards that serve youth, seniors, cross generational and multicultural groups, public television and radio communities, Brookside Gardens, The Vital Living Committee, The Citizens Review Board, Senior Leadership Montgomery and many others. She was most passionate about family, friends, human and animal rights, sustaining a healthy environment, world travel, and the visual and performing arts. Contributions to the American Diabetes Association would be appreciated. Life Celebration will be held at a later date.