Mary Anna (Jones) Thomas was born on March 10, 1944, in Paducah, Kentucky, the second child of Joe Edward Jones and Lucille (Stricklin) Jones. She attended Lincoln Elementary and Jetton Junior High before graduating from Paducah Tilghman High School.
At the age of 12, Mary Anna professed her faith in Christ and was baptized under the pastorate of Rev. L. W. Mundy. She became active in numerous youth ministries, including the Sunshine Band, Jr. Red Circle, Sunday School, the Baptist Youth Training Union (BYTU), and the Jr. Choir. At 21, she joined the Senior Choir and continued sharing her gift of music through The Gospel Ensemble, The Young Adult Ensemble, and The United Voices.
Mary Anna was united in holy matrimony to Charles William Thomas. Together, they were blessed with three children: William Douglas, Derrick LeRoy, and Jennifer Lynn.
Her love for family was central to her life. She deeply enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and was affectionately known as “Cutie” and was known as “Mudda” by her church family.
Mary Anna pursued higher education at the West Kentucky State Vocational-Technical School in the Business Department and earned an Associate Degree in Business from Paducah Community College.
She began her professional career in 1974 as a Purchasing Clerk at the West Kentucky Vocational School, serving for 15 years. She then joined the City of Paducah Police Department, where she worked for 13 years before retiring in 2002.
A faithful servant of her church, Mary Anna held several roles over the years: adult Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School worker, Church Clerk, Deaconess, member of the Women’s Ministry, and chair/co-chair of various committees. Her steadfast commitment to ministry enriched many lives.
Mary Anna’s spirit of service extended into the community. She was a 4-H Leader (Rowland Town) and served on the boards of Family Service and the Merryman House. She was also a Life Member of the NAACP and an active member of PAMPER, Inc., the Silhouettes of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the West Kentucky Alumni Association, and the Pacesetters Bowling League.
Mary Anna found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She loved cooking, traveling, bowling, and working in her yard. Her warmth, laughter, and generous spirit left lasting impressions on all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Thomas, her mother, Lucille (Jones) Henderson; father, Joe Edward Jones; stepfather, Theodore Henderson, and brothers, Michael Jones, Joe Edward Jones Jr., Carl Henderson, Charles Jones and James Edward Jones.
She leaves to cherish her memory her children: William Douglas Thomas (Deidre) of Old Hickory, TN; Derrick LeRoy Thomas (Robin) of Collierville, TN; and Jennifer Lynn Thomas of Hermitage, TN.
Her beloved grandchildren: Danielle Suitt (Cedric) of Grayson, GA; Christopher Thomas of Hendersonville, TN; Phillip Thomas (Mia) of Antioch, TN; Tristan Thomas (Sam) of Hollywood, CA; Cayden Thomas of Collierville, TN; Brittan Rose (Brad) of Blytheville, AR, and Raven Thomas of Frankfort, KY.
Great-grandchildren: Nia, Imani, Asha, Zuri, and Aisha Suitt of Grayson, GA; Justus and Vincent Rose of Blytheville, AR, and Kossima Thomas of Antioch, TN.
She is also survived by her brothers: Paul Jones, John Jones (Crystal), and William Jones, and her sister, Jo Ella Jones
A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and treasured friends also mourn her loss and celebrate her remarkable life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: West KY State Alumni Association Paducah Chapter, RE: Charles and Mary Thomas Scholarship Fund P. O. Box 3057 Paducah, KY 42002.
Funeral services have been scheduled for Saturday, June 14, 2025, 12 noon at Washington Street Baptist Church with Reverend Raynarldo Henderson and Minister Marcus Turnley officiating. Entombment will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
Family will receive friends Saturday at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour.
The services will be livestreamed on Washington Street Baptist Church Paducah Facebook page and Washington Street Baptist Church Paducah YouTube page beginning at 11:45 CST.
You may light a candle or leave online condolences at pettusrowlandfh.com.
