Gracie Beatrice "Sweet Mama" Thomas was born August 19, 1919 in Lee County to the Sam and Mary Wilson. She was the fourth child of eight children. At an early age, she confessed her life to Christ and joined Palmetto Methodist Church. She later moved her membership to Blackland M.B. Chruch and remained a faithful member until her health failed. She was united in holy matrimony to Andrew Frank Thomas on December 24, 1938. They were blessed with sixty-three years of life together. They were blessed with six children. "Sweet Mama" ,as we affectionately called her, leaves four daughters: Earlie T. Cox and Minnie T. Harper (Lonnie) both of Tupelo, MS, Bobbie Thomas of Chicago, IL, and Kathleen T. Holman (Rev. WL) of Greenwood, MS; two sons: Rev. Claude Thomas (Betty) of Tupelo, MS and Andrew Thomas Jr. (Dorothy) of Highland, IN; one sister, Mildred Little of Chicago, IL nine grandchildren; twenty-three great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; four godchildren: Rev. Ozzie Holland, Willie Doll Garrett, Viella Hook, and Jean Walton; two god grandchildren: Jayden Morris and Poo Agnew; one sister-in-law, Johnnie Wilson of Tupelo; two brothers-in-law: Ruben Little of Chicago, IL and James Brown of Ecru, MS; a special niece, Annell Evans; a special long time friend, Luxola Shack; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. "Sweet Mama" was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, five brothers, and one sister.