Alonzo Thomas

Obituary For Alonzo Thomas

Life for Alonzo Thomas Jr. began in Memphis, Tennessee, on June 11, 1943. He was the oldest of nine children born to the late Alonzo Thomas Sr. and Jennie Thomas. On January 8, 2024, he went home to be with the Lord.

Alonzo received Christ at an early age and was baptized at the historic Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, 555 Vance Avenue, where he grew up in the family home at 520 Vance Avenue. He would develop a passion for fishing, dancing, and skating, which he performed with relative ease and admirably on the hardwood of the old Hippodrome, a skating rink for African Americans at the east end of Beale Street.

Alonzo was a product of legacy Memphis City Schools. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1962. In 1976, he married Marzie Gates, a vocalist, who, ironically, was raised by her grandmother on Vance Avenue. The wedding ceremony was performed by Marzie’s pastor, the legendary Dr. William H. Brewster, at East Trigg Avenue Baptist Church. Alonzo joined the church thereafter. He loved his East Trigg Church family and current pastor, Rev. Julius A. Beasley.

Alonzo worked several jobs, including the John Deere Company, in the warehouse for 17 years until the Memphis plant closed. Then he took a job at Memphis City Schools as a supervisor/building engineer. He retired eight years ago.

Alonzo was an affable kind of guy with a genuinely pleasing personality and a radiant smile. His laughter, for example, was heart-warming and disarming. He could enter a room, light it up with his presence, and delight his family and friends — including strangers.

Alonzo was known for his culinary skills — he was a grill master per se, whose penchant for grilling succulent barbecue ribs was widely known and often requested. In fact, in the early days, he would pitch a tent in Robert R. Church Park on Beale Street for about eight years and barbecue while the old Memphis Cotton Makers’ Jubilee was in full swing.

Alonzo was also an active member of the “World Famous” Corner Club, where friends would gather for a brief respite from the vicissitudes of life. For about five years, he was an active member of the Shriners, a fraternity known for their brotherhood, compassion, and generosity — all which Alonzo exemplified.

Alonzo Thomas Jr. is survived by: his wife of 47 years, Marzie Gates Thomas, who cherishes his memories as a wonderful husband and best friend; four daughters, Lynette (Curtis) Wilborn, Tracy (Willard) Hampton, Marthel Thomas Ellison, and Richara Thomas; one son, Alonzo Thomas; five grandchildren, Justin Morris, Dustin Morris, Latrease Wilborn, Curtis Wilborn Jr., and Madison Ellison; two great-grandsons, Ira Morris and Trenton Lusk; five siblings, Jelena “Lois” Gordon, George Thomas, John Thomas, Clora Green, and Dessie (Sherman) Everhart; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alonzo Thomas Sr. and Jennie Thomas; three brothers, Charles Thomas, Samuel Thomas, and Fred Thomas; and one granddaughter, Latoya Lusk.

The family will receive friends Sunday, January 21, 2024 from 3:00pm-6:00pm at RS Lewis & Sons 374 Vance Ave, Memphis, TN 38126. Celebration of Life will be held Monday, January 22, 2024 12:00 noon at E. Trigg Baptist Church 1315 S Bellevue Blvd, Memphis, TN 38106

Internment will be Tuesday, January 23, 2024 12:00 noon at Elmwood Cemetery 824 S Dudley St, Memphis, TN 38104