Anez Stratton Thomas

Anez Jane Stratton Thomas, 78, passed away July 14, 2011, at Flower Hospital. Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, she was the youngest child of Mary Rose Lewis Stratton Ward and Thurman C. Stratton, Sr. Anez was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Erma Stratton; brothers, Robert L. Stratton, Sr. and Thurman C. Stratton, Jr. After high school, Anez continued her education at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee and the IBM Computer Institute in Washington, D.C. On December 30, 1954 Anez married her high school sweetheart, Carrington Waddell Thomas. To this union were born a daughter, Trevor Diane and a son, Michael Stanley. The family relocated to Toledo, Ohio where they joined Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church until 1983; then they became charter members of the United Missionary Baptist Church. Many utilized the superior office and managerial skills Anez had to offer. Her professional career began in secretarial work for Lynchburg Public Schools and she later became the Director of the Computer Lab and assistant to the Dean of Women at Bennett College in Greensboro, NC. She was also a life member of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. (NANBPWC). Anez held many positions of leadership within this organization including becoming the first president of the Maumee Bay Club of NANBPWC and the 2008 recipient of the national organization's highest honor, the "Sojourner Truth Award". She was employed with Girl Scouts of America and retired in 1988 as Director of the YMCA's Battered Women's Shelter. Anez's involvement in community did not affect her love and passion for her family. She tirelessly encouraged "all" her children to excel to their highest potential. The joys of her life were her family, sharing every other Saturday for 38 years with the "Poke Girls", cooking, canning, baking homemade rolls, and pouring large amounts of love on everyone she knew. Cherishing her memories are her husband of 56 years, Carrington; daughter, Trevor Black (Dennis); son, Michael (Linda); granddaughters, Doreka Gans (David) of Stone Mountain, GA, Tasha Harton (Sammie), Miquelyn Thomas, and Donyelle Thomas, all of Toledo; great-grandchildren, Kabril Gans, Israel Gans, Christian Harton, Paris Harton, Imani Gans, and Samere Harton; uncle, Theodore Lewis of Norfolk, VA; aunt, Mrs. Joyce Lewis of Youngstown, Ohio; nieces, nephews, cousins, adoptive children, and loving friends. Visitation will be Friday 5 - 8 p.m. at United Missionary Baptist Church including rites by the National Association of Business and Professional Women's Club, Inc. at 6:30 p.m.. Visitation will be held Saturday at 10:00 a.m. followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. United Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor Robert G. Bass officiant, interment Historic Woodlawn Cemetery. www.dalefh.com