Mae (Purnell) Thomas

Mother Mae (Purnell) Thomas was born December 26, 1931, to the union of Willie and Elma Purnell in Morehead, Mississippi. She was the second of 13 siblings, seven girls and six boys. She was 90 years old when the Lord called her home to rest.

Mother Willie Mae Thomas leaves to cherish her memories of one sister: Sis. Helen (Bishop James Atterberry) of Benton Harbor, MI; two brothers: Guy Purnell of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Gean Purnell of Hollywood, California; three stepsons: Daniel (Ruth), David (Tammy), and Steve Thomas; two stepsisters: Sis. Pearl Lewis and Sis. Betty Burton of Benton Harbor, MI; one stepbrother: Willie Foster of Memphis, TN; one special nephew: James Atterberry. Jr of Benton Harbor, MI; one special niece: Kim Holmes of Detroit, MI, along with a host of other relatives, friends, and church family who deeply loved her.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bishop Howard Thomas, both of her parents, four brothers: Bill (Mattie), Clyde, Clarence, and Romie Purnell; five sisters: Ruby (Willie) Ford, Evelyn (Donald) Durham, Essie Mae (Leo) Jones, Josephine Purnell, and Bessie King. One stepson: Andrew Thomas.

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