Ethel M. Thomas

Our beloved Ethel Mae Thomas was affectionately known as Sis, Aunt Sis, and Lil’ Sis. She was born on November 20, 1939 in Homer, LA to the late Alvin and Mary Hampton. She was preceded in death by her siblings Bennie Lee Hampton, Alvin Hampton, Jr. also known as Sugarboy, and Alice Hawk. She leaves to cherish her memory beloved siblings Ruthie Mae Champion, Dolly Faye Buffett, Mae Helen Dixon, Odell Hampton, Duey Hampton, Velma Marshall, and Vera Marshall. She also leaves children she raised as her own Charles York, Bessie York and Sandra Hampton

She was a resident of Shreveport, LA where she met her husband, the late Willie Thomas. The two were happily wed in the home they built together and began their journey as husband and wife for 28 years.

She was a woman who knew what she liked, knew what she wanted, and after 86 years on this earth, she had earned the right to enjoy it exactly the way she pleased. One of her favorite pastimes was talking on the telephone—and we mean talking. A quick call could easily turn into an hour or two. If you called her, you might as well get comfortable, charge your phone, and clear your schedule, because there was always one more thing she needed to tell you.

She loved collecting dolls, what-nots, and little treasures, and her dolls were well taken care of as she crocheted blankets and clothes for them.

Also, she believed in looking good herself! She loved to dress nicely and wear her jewelry and White Diamond perfume!

She also loved good food. Some of her favorites were hot-house tomatoes, eggs, bananas, Juicy Fruit gum, Trolli gummies, and okra from Church’s. She enjoyed eating at Golden Corral, and when she wanted Burger King, she wanted a Whopper “with everything on it but the kitchen sink.”

She was also a wonderful cook and an avid gardener, tending her own garden of tomatoes for many years, and keeping her grass and yard pristine at all times. She knew what she was doing, too—so unless she asked, she probably didn't need any gardening advice!

When it was time to relax, you could find her sitting in her favorite chair, watching Family Feud, The Price Is Right, or her soap operas. And if her program was on, whatever you needed to tell her had to wait until the commercial.

She enjoyed riding around town with her longtime neighbor and dear friend, Ms. Brenda. Sometimes they didn't have anywhere special to go—a good friend and a ride around town were enough.

She had a special love for children and helped raise and care for many throughout the years. Her home and her heart were always open, and she gave freely of her time, love,

wisdom, and guidance. She nurtured many young lives, and the love she poured into them became a beautiful part of her legacy.

She also loved listening to blues, but some of the sweetest music in her life came through her faith. She was a proud woman of the Church of God in Christ who loved the Lord. She loved to sing, play the organ, read her Bible—especially Psalms—and pray in the Holy Ghost. Her faith was not something she saved only for Sunday; it was part of who she was. She always had a scripture to fix your problems!

Her life reminds us that joy can be found in simple things: faith, family, friendship, a beautiful garden, good food, a favorite television show, a long phone conversation, and, loving others as Jesus loved us.

We will miss her deeply, but she left us plenty of memories to make us smile. Whenever we hear B.B. King, see a beautiful garden, watch The Price Is Right, pass Golden Corral, spot some Trolli gummies, or hear somebody order a Whopper “with everything on it but the kitchen sink,” we'll have another reason to think of her.

Most of all, we will remember a woman who loved the Lord, loved His Word, and believed in the power of prayer.

After more than eighty years of living, loving, cooking, gardening, crocheting, talking, singing, and praising God, she has earned her rest.

For the Word of God reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 that “the dead in Christ shall rise first,” and together we shall be caught up to meet the Lord, and “so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

So this is not goodbye forever. It is simply goodnight for now.

Sleep on, Auntie. Take your rest.

In that great getting up morning, when we shall see you again.