Mrs. Nannie Belle Thomas, 92, of 899 Wellington Street, Madison, Georgia transitioned to eternal rest surrounded by her loving family October 11, 2019 at her residence.
Mrs. Thomas was born on March 16, 1927 in Daytona Beach, Florida and raised throughout her childhood in Douglas, Georgia by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph (Emma Allen) Moore. She later came to live in Madison with her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Bunche Allen and graduated Burney Street High School in May 1945.
Nannie Belle was joined in marriage to James Edward (Pete) Thomas on September 13, 1945. Their union of almost 54 years was blessed with seven children: James E. Thomas, Jr., Dr. Emma M. Thomas, Joetta (Theodore) Williams, Ronald Thomas, Sylvia Gilbert, Cheryl Thomas and Marcus J. Thomas. Pete preceded his beloved's death in August 1999. A devoted wife, mother and the consummate homemaker, Mrs. Thomas was widely known as a premiere Southern cook often using the bounty from her and her husband’s own kitchen garden. Nannie Belle and Pete thoughtfully shared their abundant harvest with friends and neighbors alike. She also created a wide variety of delicious scratch-made desserts and until recent years, enjoyed a faithful clientele who had standing requests for these light as air confections, that included Italian Cream Cheese, Red Velvet, Sour Cream or Burnt Sugar Pound and Japanese Fruit cakes. Much to the delight of her children and grandchildren, her repertoire also featured Mississippi Mud and cookies, such as Mexican Wedding and Oatmeal, each made to the recipient’s requests – soft or crisp and with or without raisins and/or nuts.
Mrs. Thomas also became an invaluable resource for many newly relocated educators employed by the Pearl Street and Morgan County Schools with young children in tow. As a “Surrogate Grandmother” during the parent’s school day, she approached this challenge in her usual straightforward manner, ‒ she treated the children as her own and simply set another place at the table. During recent visits, each “Surrogate Grandchild” recalled a special story about “My Nannie Belle”.
In addition to her seven children, Mrs. Thomas is survived by five grandchildren: Keisha (Bobby[late]) Myers, JeNika (Stanislaus) Mukoro, Michael (Jennifer) Mapp, Jr., Morgan M. Mapp and Lindsey C. Gilbert. Her older grandson, Damon J. Thomas (LaKeasha) preceded her in death in April 2019. Nannie Belle also leaves a host of great grandchildren, cousins, friends and her Calvary Baptist Church Family to celebrate her extraordinary life.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, October 19, 2019 at Calvary Baptist Church, 184 Academy Street, Madison, Georgia, Rev. Dr. Hoke L. Smith, Pastor, Officiating. Interment will follow in Madison Memorial Gardens, Madison, Georgia.
Visitation hours are planned for Friday evening between the hours of 6:00 and 8:00 P.M.
Services entrusted to Bernard's Family Funeral Care, LLC, The Madison Chapel, 1086 Ward Road, Madison, Georgia, (706) 438-3210.
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