Ms. Annie B. Lewis Thomas
Mrs. Annie Beatrice Lewis Thomas was born on August 23, 1911 in Brewton, Alabama. Her biological parents were the late Jane Longmire and Warren “Simon” Alford. After the death of her mother, she was adopted by her aunt and uncle, the late Mr. Sylvester “Sill” and Mrs. Rebecca Longmire Lewis “Witt”. She also gained four more siblings, three of whom preceded her in death along with her biological siblings. Together they were Mrs. Hattie Cunningham, Mrs. Willie “Goat” Longmire, Mr. Willie James Cunningham, Mrs. Lottie Rowlin, Mrs. Maggie Longmire, Ms. Elsie Patterson, Mr. James Taylor, Mr. William “Bill” Lewis (infant twin of George Lewis), Mr. Mose Lewis and Mrs. Emma M. Lewis Mitchell, who we all affectionately called “Sister”.
At a very young age, Mrs. Annie B. worked at the C.W. Church and the Second St. Siloam Church. Ms. Annie B., as she was affectionately called, also worked as a custodian at the Bank of Brewton. Later she embarked upon the Nursing field where she was employed at the Holly Hospital and D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton.
Ms. Annie B. started her early years of formal school training at the Mamie Potter School in the Pea Ridge Community where she walked from Rodgers Street to Pea Ridge approximately five miles. To her, she said, “It was nothing.” She later attended the Brewton City School, Evergreen District and Southern Normal where she graduated. Ms. Annie B. graduated from SNS under the school mastership of the late Mr. James Dooley Sr., who was the founder of Southern Normal School, Brewton, Alabama in 1911.
As a young girl, Annie B. moved to Omaha, NB to help care for her sick aunt, the late Mrs. Emma Mozelle Longmire Carr. She returned home to continue her work with her church and her family. It was here in Brewton that she met her one true love, George Watson Thomas Sr. They were married on November 3, 1938 in Brewton. She remained in love and devoted until his untimely death in 2008.
Her service to God was always first place in her life. She joined Second St. Siloam Baptist Church in 1918 where she remained faithful until she fell asleep in death on October 10, 2014 in the early morning. During her life as a worker in her church she was a sponsor of the Sunbeam Programs and the Red Circle. She was also the director of the Youth Department for many years. In the seventies, Ms. Annie B. was the director of the Inspirational Choir numbering over one hundred. The choir’s musician was the late Mr. Jerry Calhoun. She served as a Deaconess alongside her husband who was a Deacon of the church. Ms. Annie B. was a Matron and a member of the Order of Eastern Star Olive Chapter #153. Annie B. was also a member of the Benevolent Society.
Ms. Annie B. and Deacon Watson were proud parents of four children of whom the oldest three preceded her in death: Peggy Hicks, George W. Thomas Jr., Rebecca Thomas and Bernard Thomas, who resides in Brewton, Alabama.
In the wee hours of the morning, Friday, October 10, 2014 at 1:13 a.m. Annie B. fell into her deepest sleep…death. (Revelations 21:3-4)
Mrs. Annie Beatrice Lewis Thomas leaves to cherish the memories of her life one beloved son (her youngest child), Bernard (Brenda) Thomas of Brewton, AL; a step-son, James (Val) Walter of San Diego, CA; one devoted son-in-law whom she stated that he was truly a son indeed, Earl Hicks, of New York; grandchildren, Tia L. Hicks, Anthony E. Hicks, Bernard Thomas, Tishira Thomas, Terry Hardy and Tanika Wootson; great grandchildren, Sanjnah Hicks, Lalayla Hicks, Amira Hicks and Amaia Noel; great-great grandchildren, Alex Noel, Kayson Hardy and Bacion Hardy; one sister, Mrs. Lillie S Lewis Dove of Brewton, AL; one brother, Joe (Mary) Lewis of Eufaula, AL; one god-daughter, Pamela Farrish (Gary) Plummer; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Mabel H. Thomas of Mobile, AL and Dr. Doris Lewis of Charleston, SC and a devoted grand nephew, Blakely Conn (Marti) Barton of Brewton, AL. Other survivors include four grand nieces, Ruby Jefferson of Augusta, GA, Patty Cunningham of Philadelphia, PA and Katherine Cunningham of Baltimore, MA and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends too numerous to mention by name.
The family of Mrs. Annie B. Lewis Thomas gratefully thanks the West Gate Village Nursing Home for the best care possible given to our Dearest Annie B. during her stay there. Also, we thank everyone who shared in her care and who shared in her life of over 103 years.
Perhaps you sent a lovely card, or sat quietly in a chair,
Perhaps you sent a floral piece, if so we saw it there.
Perhaps you spoke the kindest words, as any friend could say;
Perhaps you were not there at all, just thought of that day,
Whatever you did to console our hearts, we thank you so much, whatever the part.