Mrs. Gladys Thomas

January 2, 1940 - December 18, 2019

On December 2, 1940 the late Mable Dawson Thomas and Jimmy Gamble welcomed their first child into the world, Gladys Lou Dawson. Gladys was the oldest of five children. She shared a special bond with all her siblings. They all preceded her in death; two sisters, Sonja Williams and Dorothy Humphrey; two brothers, Sanders and Patrick Thomas of Chicago, Illinois. Gladys attended Dunbar High School in Ramer, Alabama. She graduated in 1959. Gladys had many accomplishments after high school. Gladys confessed Christ at an early age and baptized at Center Point Church of Christ in Grady, Alabama. She later moved to Chicago where she met and married Fred Thomas in 1964, who also preceded her in death. Gladys became a member of the Van Buren Church of Christ, and later was added to the 79th Street, which is now Chatham-Avalon Church of Christ, where she remained an active member until her health failed. To this union they raised five children, one preceded her in death (Demetris Thomas). Gladys worked at Chicago Dynamics and Stiffel Lamp Company for many years. She loved talking about how she was able to handle and drive large machines at work. Gladys was a Sunday School Teacher, a caretaker, a nurturer, counselor, van driver for the food pantry, baker, fundraiser, and so much more. Gladys quietly departed this life December 18, 2019 at 11:01 P.M. Gladys was greatly loved, she inspired many with her kindness and her faith in God. She leaves to cherish her memories: two daughters, Doris (Walter) Franklin and Joretha Thomas; two sons, John (Doris) Thomas and Julius Thomas; special children in Gladys's life, Noreen, Ruby, and Shelia; nine grandchildren Dorthea, Faith, Dornita, Julius, Jonathan, Justin, Shaneeka, Nakia and Edward Jr.; fourteen great grandchildren; one sister, Lillie Pearl Teague (Campbell, Ohio); three aunts, Callie Mae Luster (Montgomery, Alabama), Carrie Bell Johnson (Highland Home, Alabama), and Lonnie Mae Mays (Ramer, Alabama); one uncle, James Dawson (Chicago, IL); five sisters-in-laws, Annie Washington Booker (Crete, IL), Gussie Thomas (Montgomery, AL), Wilma Haygood (Arizona), Johnnie Stuckey (Massachusetts) and Maggie Hayman (New York); one brother-in-law, Robert Thomas (Cincinnati, OH) and a host of cousins, family and friends; and the Chatham-Avalon Church of Christ Family.