A Beautiful Legacy
October 27, 1931 ~ April 21, 2018



Eva Adell Williams Thomas, affectionately known as "Mama", "Gramdma," "BIG Ma," and "my ole Lady," was born to the late Lillie Sally Barber on October 27, 1931, in Donaldsonville, Georgia. She was the only girl raised alongside her three brothers, two which preceded her in death, the late Joseph M. Williams, and the late John H. Williams. She was raised between Newark, New Jersey and Lee County, Georgia.

Eva was educated in the Lee County School System. She confessed Christ at an early age, was baptized, and joined Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church.

At a very young age, Eva met and married the love of her life, Dennis Lee "Heavy" Thomas, on May 31, 1946. From that blessed union they left a legacy overflowing throughout all generations…..

Eva, a devoted wife and mother, was an avid reader of all genres, loved to travel, and her favorite color was red—she loved to wear "fiery" red lipstick. Eva loved to cook. She was well known for her homemade biscuits, "flap-jacks", teacakes, Brunswick stew, and many other dishes. Eva loved gardening and had a natural green thumb for cultivating growth at any stage from its seed to a broken stem brought back in re-growth. Mama was a master artist in sewing and quilting. She could sew anything from scratch and pattern design. Her quilts are our number one staple in the many beautiful patterns she crafted. Eva quilted any size quilt, but her cherished gems were the signature detailed baby quilts she made to celebrate the life of her grands and many others. Mama essentially did it ALL! She was a hard-worker from sun up to sun down. She loved her family, as her family dearly loved her so. She was the 'ROCK" that we all leaned on for any and everything. With all of her children she shared a very special relationship. Big Ma was real—a genuine southern gem who did not hesitate to step in and let you know how she really felt. She was filled with both love and pain—she weathered a lot and still came out on top. Ask her anytime, any day, "How are you doing, Ma?" Her reply, "I'm living the Life of Riley!" showcasing her beautiful smile.

Eva's circle of life ended on April 21, 2018 at St. John's Episcopal Hospital in New York. She was preceded in death by her mother and two sons, Dennis Thomas, Jr. and Michael Thomas.

Eva leaves to cherish many, many memories with all of her loved ones: one brother, Walker Wright of Newark, NJ; seven daughters, Emma Green of Wolcott, CT, Evelyn (John) Turner of Inwood, NY, Lily V. King and Adela Yarbrough both of Leesburg, GA, Beatrice (Herman) Wesley and Deborah Clinton both of Albany, GA, and Messheila (William) Sparrow of Hanover, MD; four sons, Julius Thomas of Morrow, GA, John Henry Thomas of Leesburg, GA, Curtis (Carolyn) Thomas of Hartford, CT, and Nathaniel Thomas of Leesburg, GA; three grandchildren she raised as her own, Dennis Jerome (Carla) Thomas of Carrollton, GA, Melissa (Corey) Scott of Leesburg, GA, Eva (Antwone) Henderson of Columbus, GA, and one daughter-in-law, Carolyn Thomas of Henderson, NV; a special daughter, Jayne Cannon of Leesburg, GA; a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; two special cousins, Genet Efford of Newark, NJ and Ruby Smith of Leesburg, GA; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dedicated friends.