Barbara W. (Williams) Thomas

Mrs. Barbara Williams Thomas went home to be with the Lord on January 27, 2019.

Barbara W. Thomas was born on March 26, 1934, in Pelham, Tennessee to Ed and Clara Williams.  She later moved with her family to Chattanooga, Tennessee and graduated from Howard High School.   She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from AM & N College, Pine Bluff, Arkansas and her master’s degree from the University of The South, Sewanee. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society and Beta Kappa Chi National Science Honor Society.  She was a member of Stanley United Methodist Church from childhood. While at Stanley she served as a Lay Speaker and member of the United Methodist Women. 

 She was employed in the Chattanooga School system for over 53 years, first as a teacher, then a Mathematics Supervisor for nineteen years, and later Director of Team Teaching.  Mrs. Thomas was instrumental in introducing computer programming to the Chattanooga and Hamilton County School Systems. 

 She served on the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee, President of the Chattanooga Mathematics Teachers Association, member and Lecturer for the NCTM and National Council Supervisors of Mathematics. Mrs. Thomas was selected as one of the initial developers of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) and Tennessee Career Ladder Evaluation Committee. She was a Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a Life Member of DESTI. She was a Life Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Mrs. Thomas served as a Board member of the Chattanooga Area Drug and Alcohol Association, Arts and Education Association and Friendship Haven.  She has traveled to Egypt, England, and Ghana. She traveled on one of the last Concorde Flights to Paris.  

Mrs. Thomas was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, S. Daniel Thomas; her sisters, Eddie Pauline Gaines, Josephine Maxey Street, Deanna McKinney, Tommie Webster, and her brother, Warden Guinn Williams.    

She leaves to mourn, her three sons, S. Daniel (Linda) Thomas III; Ivan (Garnette) Thomas Sr. and Paul Russell (Dawn) Thomas Sr., Lawrenceville, Georgia. Her sister, Gloria Williams, Charlotte N.C.: her seven grandchildren, Carman Thomas (Fed’Herme) Estimable, Sirr Daniel (DeShanee) Thomas IV, Ivan Thomas Jr., Zachery Thomas, Paul RussellThomas II, Ana Thomas, Aja Thomas; eight great-grandchildren, and her devoted nephew, Bennie Wilson Jr. In addition, left to cherish her memories are several cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019, 1:00 p.m. at Stanley United Methodist Church located at 501 Dodson Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37404 with Rev. Dr. Richard L. Brown officiating and Rev. William Howard Smith delivering the eulogy.  The family will receive visitors and friends at the church from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. The Delta Omega service will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Higher Education Fund of Stanley United Methodist Church.

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