MRS. MARGARET THOMAS CELEBRATES 100th BIRTHDAY
MARGARET CELERSTINE GARMON THOMAS was born April 24, 1914, in Jefferson, Marion County, Texas, to the union of the late Professor William F. Garmon, Sr. and Maude B. Moore Garmon.
After moving to Dallas, Texas in 1921, she confessed Christ at an early age and united with the Salem Institutional Baptist Church. She was educated in the public schools of Dallas, where she attended J. P. Starks Elementary, and graduated from the Booker T. Washington High School in 1932. She later completed her studies at the Bezaleel Bible Institute and the D. F. Johnson Institute, and received a Certificate of Completion from both schools in Christian Education.
In 1953 under the leadership of Dr. B. R. Riley, the New Jerusalem Institutional Baptist Church was organized, and Sis. Margaret Thomas was among the first three members to unite and be instrumental in the birth of this great church body. During her dedicated years of service at New Jerusalem, she has served in many capacities: Usher, and Instructor of Ushers; Secretary of the Woman’s Missionary Society; WMS Lydia Circle Chairlady; Sunday School Teacher for the Young Adult Bible Class; Baptist Training Union Director; Director of Christian Education; Church Program Chairwoman; Organizer and member of the Nurses’ Guild, whereby the church’s First Aid Room bears her name; and she is a member of the Business & Professional Women’s Guild. She is one of two living chartered members of New Jerusalem today.
Over seven decades Mrs. Thomas has dedicated her faithful service and talent to the Local, District, State, and National Baptist denominational work. She has served as: an Instructor in the Galilee Griggs Memorial District Congress teaching Christian Education; an Instructor in the Texas Baptist State Convention teaching the Principle & Procedures for Church Ushering; and served as President of the Texas Baptist State Convention Ushers’ Department for twenty-five years. In the National Congress of Christian Education of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., Sis. Margaret Thomas completed the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd “Steps of Progress” courses, and graduated after completion of “The Special Steps of Progress” course. Immediately following these many years of study at the National Baptist Congress, Mrs. Thomas was summoned to work with the National Congress of Christian Education Dean’s Cabinet, where she served in this office for thirty-five years (1970-2005).
In addition to her committed and unswerving religious work, she has worked for many years as a saleslady for various Dallas retailers including Margo La Mode and JCPenny stores. Her friendliness, welcoming smile and great attitude have always put all who have met or been in her presence at ease. With her ability to multi-task, she was always an enthusiastic Christian team player who was dependable and hard-working no matter if she was leading or mentoring, greeting others, or putting the finishing touches on any designated program.
Sis. Margaret Thomas was the devoted mother of two daughters, the late Bobbie Jean Thomas Harris, and the late Gloria Louise Thomas Moore; the lovely grandmother of two grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren; a caring big sister; an affectionate aunt; and a friend to all.
