Mother Centris Grigsby Thomas , the seventh of ten children to the late Richard and Lee Willie Langford Grigsby, graced the world with her presence on November 10, 1930.

Affectionately called Sis by those dear to her, she was reared in and spent her childhood in Shongaloo, Louisiana. It is in her hometown, and at Sweet Home Baptist Church, that she received and acknowledged Christ as her personal Savior. As she matured, so did her relationship with Christ. She continued to serve her Lord in the church by singing in the choir as well as the Assistant Church Secretary.

More than a beautiful face and personality, Centris was a wise and exceptional scholar. She attended Thomas & Rhone Elementary School through the 8th grade, Webster High School in 9th and 10th grade, followed by Charles Brown High School, where she graduated Valedictorian in the class of 1950.

Centris relocated to Houston, Texas, years later. Never straying from her relationship with Christ, she found her a new church home at St. Matthew Baptist Church in Houston, TX under the leadership of  Rev. Cecil Davis. Her servant's heart took her beyond the walls of her dear church, as her hands and heart were used to help save lives many years during her time as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at Herman Hospital.