Life’s Reflections A TIME TO BE BORN: (Jeremiah 1:5)
Milton Thomas Jr. was born on Sunday, March 13, 1932, in Jackson, Mississippi, the fifth of eight children. Sunday, April 24, 2022, Milton departed this life at age 90. His parents, Milton Thomas, Sr. and Margaret (Maggie), wife Connie Elam Thomas, daughter, Felisa Nicole Thomas, and siblings; Betty, Roosevelt (Teddy), Willie C. (Velma), Percy, Clyde, and Ethel, nephews, Anthony Thomas, Percy Mims, Jr., Keith Jones, Sr. and Ralph Mims, and niece, Kovetta Mims all preceded him in death. He grew up in a loving and close-knit family. He was always inquisitive and outgoing, which began a lifetime of learning.
A TIME TO LEARN: (Proverbs 22:6)
Milton attended the public schools of Jackson, Mississippi, graduating in the class of 1950 of the C M & I College High School. He served in the United States Army and often said that he “joined the military to follow in the footsteps of his older brothers.” Once he completed his military service, he then matriculated at Mississippi Valley State University, which proved to enhance his life in many ways. He was on the school’s first football team and inducted into the Mississippi Valley State University Sports Hall of Fame. Milton also enjoyed boxing and shared that skill with the city youth. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education & Recreation in 1955. He was a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and a 33rd degree Mason – a Master Mason who has exhibited knowledge, passion, and sacrifice to his Craft. The foundation was laid for a lifetime of service.
A TIME TO PLANT: (Proverbs 31: 29-30)
Milton began to establish himself as a pillar in the Memphis, Tennessee community with an illustrious career with The City of Memphis, Dept of Parks and Recreation. This 34- year career helped enhance his passion for making every child feel valued, important, nurtured, and included. He loved fishing, cars, music, games, sports, and anything active. Milton was a man of passion, determination, integrity, dignity, and love. He poured these qualities into his family, his children, and those who encountered him. His mentoring was on display when he began a career with the Washington County YMCA in Greenville, Mississippi, from 1957 to 1962. There, he was the executive secretary and continued later at the Abe Scharff YMCA in Memphis from 1963 to 1970 as their first black executive director. The special ‘twinkle in his eye” was that of his grandson Miles, into whom he poured the love of collecting trains and cars, having good sportsmanship, and supporting his dream of becoming a pilot. A TIME TO SERVE: Milton was a faithful servant in whatever capacity he participated. He was the church Treasurer, loved the Bible Study sessions, and sang in the choir… even did a solo or two when requested. He enjoyed participating with the Orange Mound Senior Center, where he was active with arts and crafts, Scrabble tournaments, and the drama club and was even crowned the center’s king in1980. He was a faithful competitor in the Tennessee Senior Olympics, winning many medals in shuffleboard, pickleball, free throws, ping pong, pool, and horseshoe. He loved competing and showing off his medals.
Milton was also a member of the Mississippi Valley State University Alumni association and the Memphis Police Ambassador program and worked many years with The Boy Scouts.
A TIME TO LOVE: (Proverbs 31: 10-12)
Of the many qualities Milton possessed, the capacity to love was the greatest. He remained a devoted husband to Connie throughout their earthly union. Milton continued to demonstrate love within his family through mentorship, advice and leading by example, and the basic principle of “family over everything.” He was affectionately known as “Bubba or Uncle Bubba” to all his acolytes. Ironically Milton reminisced,” I had an uncle with the name Bubba, and I liked it so much that I called myself Bubba!” He lived a full life and would enjoyably “bend your ear,” sharing gardening tips and his life stories from being a kid growing up and playing in Jackson to his Military Service and family life through the years. Milton was known by many names ….Dad, Paw Paw, Daddy, Mr. T, Coach T, and Uncle Bubba, and he loved, lived, and shared his life to the fullest. He leaves to cherish his precious memory, his children Kenneth and Milnetrice Thomas, Memphis, TN. Grandson Miles Thomas, one sister, Elnora Buchanan, Memphis, TN; four nieces, Pamela Ward, Homewood, IL, Charlotte Thomas, Milwaukee, WI, Bonita Jones, Boston, MA, and Tanya Hagans, Cerritos, CA; five nephews Roy Buchanan, Memphis, TN, Marc Tibbs (Belva) Beechwood, OH, Neil Tibbs, Swansea, IL, Keven Hagans, Atlanta, GA, and Glen Elam of Douglasville, GA, a special Sister-in-Love, Alice Elam of Greenwood, Mississippi, and a host of cousins, great-nieces and nephews, relatives, and friends.
“I’m Free” Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free I’m following the path God has laid you see. I took His hand when I heard him call I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day To laugh, to love, to work, to play. Tasks left undone must stay that way I found that peace at the close of day. If my parting has left a void Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss Oh yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I savored much Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and peace to thee God wanted me now; He set me free.
Order of Celebration
C RELB TIONA
Saturday, May 7, 2022 12:00 Noon
Grace United Methodist Church 1619 East Raines Road • Memphis, Tennessee 38116
Dr. Martin McClain, Sr. Officiating & Senior Pastor
Prelude Processional Opening Prayer................................................................................................................Minister Scripture Readings: The Old & New Testament...........................................................Dr. Martin McClain, Sr. Musical Selection.............................................................................................Grace UMC Choir
Reflections
(Respectfully, Two Minutes Please)
City of Memphis Parks & Recreation Commission Mississippi Valley State University Grace United Methodist Church Anita Parker Couch Epsilon Xi Lambda Chapter Alpha Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Acknowledgements Musical Selection...............................................................................................Cequita Monique Eulogy......................................................................................................Dr. Martin McClain, Sr.
Pastor, Grace United Methodist Church
Recessional “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14: 1-3
~ Acknowledgements ~
The Thomas Family extend our heartfelt thanks and acknowledgements to everyone for your prayers, kindnesses, and services to our family during this time. Your calls, texts, cards, flowers, and food have been very comforting. Special thanks to the medical staff at Baptist Hospital, Methodist Hospital, the Veterans Administration Hospital, All-Pro Home, and Tennessee Quality Care.
~The Family
~ Active Pallbearers ~
Epsilon Xi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alphi Fraternity, Inc.
~Committal Rites & Interment~ Saturday, May 7, 2022 • 1:30 P.M. Memphis Memory Gardens 6444 Raleigh LaGrange Road Memphis, Tennessee 38134
~Repast~
Rogers Development Center 1672 Easy Alcy Road Memphis, Tennessee 38114
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