Era Bickerstaff Thomas' Obituary
Mrs. Era B. Thomas, born Era Mae Bickerstaff was born July 11, 1932 in Waverly, Alabama to the late Rufus and Hixie Bickerstaff. To this union were born three children (the eldest died as an infant). Two beautiful daughters were later born; Era and Doris, with Era being the eldest of the two. Because of Era's and Doris' upbring in a house of faith, Era confessed a belief in Christ at an early age. Era loved attending church regularly with her family and reading her bible. Upon moving from Waverly to Birmingham, Era and her family became faithful members of the First Baptist Church Woodlawn, in Birmingham, Alabama.
On December 4, 1948 Era was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Clifford Thomas Sr. The couple shortly after marriage moved to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue their educational dreams; both degrees being in Education. Clifford attended Morehouse College and Era attended Clark Atlanta University, in where she received her BA and her Master's Degree in Education. Era is a retired educator of the City of Atlanta Public School System. Although her degree was education, she also had a passion for writing poetry and short stories.
While working and attending school, Era was a faithful member of Paradise Reed Street Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta. For many years she was a Sunday School teacher at Paradise, always having her children close by her side, and at many times from sunup to sundown on Sunday's. After serving as Sunday School teacher for several years, she was elected as the church's Sunday School Superintendent. God's spirit and love was shown through her in all that she did for her church, her community and her family; especially to her children.
Later after turning her duties as Sunday School Superintendent over to another faithful steward of the church, Era, Sis. Thomas, became a member of the mother's board. After being a member of Paradise Church for over 30 plus years, Mother Thomas moved and continued her missionary missions at New Fellowship Church in Atlanta and later, once moving to Conyers, she continued praising and serving The Lord at The Life Church Christian Center and Strait Gate Church before her passing. While serving as a mother of the church, until the day of her transition, Mother Thomas was a faithful prayer warrior along with her prayer partner's Mother Brown, Mother Sims and her faithful and loving birth sister and sister in Christ, Doris Key.
Era was very passionate about Jesus and she taught her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren to be passionate about Jesus and to study and learn the scriptures. Era loved her family, her church family and her friends. There is not one thing she would not do for any of them. She always treated others the way that she wanted to be treated. Era, always spoke encouraging words to everyone she met. She supported her children, grandchildren and her great grandchildren, her friends and even sometimes strangers. Era had a true, humble and giving spirit. She was loved by everyone and she will truly be missed.
Of the union of Era and Clifford, they were the proud parents of six children. Era was preceded in death by her second born child Anthony Thomas, her grandson Martez Thomas, her loving husband of 68 years, Clifford Thomas Sr., her last born child, Kenneth Earl Thomas and her daughter-in-law Hajira Thomas.
The Lord called Era home to be with Him on April 6, 2022, while in her sleep. Era leaves to cherish her precious memories, her sons Clifford Jr, Mark Emory, Rufus Donzell and her one and only beloved daughter Marva Gail. She also leaves behind to cherish her memory, her sister, Doris Key of Birmingham, AL., a god-sister Martha Armstead of Birmingham, AL, a god-daughter Tammy White of Decatur, GA, nine grandchildren; Monica Thomas, Dawnetta Thomas, Joycelyn Thomas Ephraim (Donald), Kameelah Thomas, Simeon Thomas, Nikkiah Williams-Settles(Carl), Emori Thomas Harris(DeAundre'), Neshell Thomas, Michaeline Terry and 20 great-grandchildren, three special friends Sister Rosser, Sister Griddine, Ms. Florine Ross and a host of other loving relatives and dear friends.
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