Willie Thomas

Mrs. Willie Mae Thomas entered fully into the presence of Jesus on Friday morning, July 12, 2019. She was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willie and Lillie Bell Crossley born on June 18, 1951 in Barbour County, Alabama.

A Celebration of her life will be held at 3:00 P.M. Saturday, July 20, 2019, in the Earl Bankston Memorial Chapel with Reverend Warren David Andersen of the Greater Bethel AME, Brundidge Alabama officiating. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

She married her husband of 42 years, Freddie B. Thomas on December 11, 1976 and they raised two children, Tonia and Freddie R.  As the heart of the Thomas family, she was the epitome of a virtuous wife and nurturing mother.

Possessing a true servant’s heart, she served faithfully as a member of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Louisville, AL.  She maintained a strong work ethic while working at Phillips Van Heusen in Ozark, AL until it closed in 2005 and treasured the lifelong friendships she made.  She enjoyed celebrating life with family and friends by sharing home cooked meals and hosting backyard cookouts.

She has been a compassionate mother-figure to many over the years and had an extraordinary ability to always put a smile on their faces.  She was a source of strength for all who knew her.  Her signature gift of joy, shown through her fun-loving smile, laughter, and entertaining sense of humor will never be forgotten.

She enjoyed traveling with her daughter, and after her first flight experience in 2004, the flight attendant rewarded her with her first set of airline wings. Today we are rejoicing that she has received her eternal wings in heaven.

Loved ones she leaves to cherish her precious memory include her devoted husband, Freddie B. Thomas, Texasville, her daughter, Tonia Crossley, Birmingham,  her son, Freddie R. Thomas, Texasville, her mother, Lillie Bell Crossley, Louisville, her brother, Joe Crossley (Juanita), Louisville, her sisters, Emma Chambers, Phenix City and Alice Weems, Dothan, nieces, Darlene Crossley, Louisville, Charlotte Crossley, Dothan, Vanessa Chambers, Phenix City, nephews, William Crossley (Dorothy), Ozark, and Stacy Crossley (Carolyn), Ozark,  several great nieces, great nephews, and cousins, extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her father Willie C. Crossley and her sister Bobbie Ann Crossley.