On January 17, 1939, Sister Thomas was born to the union of the late Rosie and Raymond Gipson as the 2nd of 7 children. She attended Galilee Elementary School and graduated from Carrie Martin High School in July 1957. She was a member of Galilee Baptist Church from 1952 where she was baptized under the leadership of the late Rev. Robert Jackson.  During her years at Galilee, she served as Superintendent of Sunday School for 25 years, Class Youth teacher for 10 years, Choir President for 25 years, and church Secretary for 2 years.

After moving to Bossier City, LA, she united with Fellowship Baptist Church, under Rev. Melvin Perry, where she remained until her health failed her. She worked with the Missions and Deaconess'.

In 1981, she graduated from N.W. Louisiana Vocational School as a Licensed Professional Nurse (LPN) and worked for Springhill Medical Center in Springhill, LA for 24 years.

She married James W. Gay from Ivan, LA, and to this union, 2 children were born; James R. (Russell) Gay (Karen) of Plano, TX, and Juanita Muhammad of Arlington, TX. Later, she married Deacon Cecil Thomas, who preceded her in death.

Sister Thomas was a faithful member of Fellowship B.C. until her health failed her. On December 27, 2022, she was called from labor to reward. She leaves to mourn her passing, her Son and Daughter, James and Juanita and 5 grandchildren, Twanita, Jordon, Serena, Maya, and Errin and 1 great-grandchild, Malcolm, as well as one sister, Opal Moore, and two brothers, Henry Chancler, Jr. of Capitol Heights, MD, and Lewis Remer of Long Beach, California as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousin, and other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by three brothers, Londell Chaff, Leon 'Ndugu' Chancler, and Leroy Gipson.

The family would also like to offer special thanks to Mrs. Mary Harrison, Mrs. Harriet Perry, The Winston Family, Emile Neal and the Bryant Family, and Ann Bison for your continued care and love of our mother and support of our family.

Weep not for me, I'm going to a better place.