Lizzie Lee Bowles Thomas”Mother Liz”, 83, died Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at Morgan Memorial Hospital in Madison after a lengthy illness. She was born October 11,1925 in the Godfrey community of Morgan County to the late Peter Bowles and the late Nettie Wells Bowles.

She was the youngest of six children of which two brothers, Morris and J. D. and two sisters, Louise and Martha, preceded her in death.

She was married to Reuben Thomas Sr., who preceded her in death. They had two children of which their oldest son, Reuben Thomas Jr. preceded her in death.

She worked outside the home and she is often remembered for co-owning and operating the City Café with her late husband and family during the 1960s and 1970s. Her family was one of the first black families to own a business in the downtown district of the City of Madison during that time. She was retired from the Siemon-Madison Company (Watertown) in 1994 after many years of employment.

Mother Liz attended Clarks Chapel Baptist Church near her home but chose to join in membership with Calvary Baptist Church of Madison. She worked with different auxiliaries in the church until she joined the Calvary Usher Board where she faithful served for many years.
She is survived by a son, Johnny Thomas of Madison; one granddaughter Toni Thomas (Robert) Terrell of Madison; two grandsons Chaz Davis of Eatonton and Johnathan Quincy Thomas of Covington; one great-grandson Robert Terrell III (Trey); one sister Mary of Chattanooga, Tenn, a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; caregiver Clara Ruth Kendricks; many loving friends and church members including Carolyn Stewart, Joyce Bass, Lavone Veasley, Brenda Brown and Annie Clara Mosley.

Funeral service was held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 29 at Calvary Baptist Church with the Pastor Hoke L. Smith Jr., Pastor Robert L. Terrell Jr. and Minister Kathy Hubbard officiating. Interment was in Fairview Cemetery.

Flower ladies were members of the Mother Board at Calvary Baptist Church. Pallbearers were members of the Deacon Ministry of Calvary Baptist Church and members of the Deacon Ministry at Union Springs Baptist Church.

Mapp-Gilmore Pyramid was in charge of arrangements.

Published in the April 2, 2009 Edition