Gilda Riley Thomas

ACelebration of the Life and Homegoing of

Sunrise August 13, 1947

Sunset April 13, 2014

Gilda Grace Riley Thomas

Homegoing

Celebration Service Monday, April 28, 2014 10:00 A.M.

Greater Saint Stephen FGBC 5600 Read Blvd.

New Orleans, LA

D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home 3933 Washington Ave. New Orleans, LA

Her Story 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

John 14:2-3

Gilda was born on August 13, 1947 to Morris Riley Sr. and Leona Morris Riley in New Orleans, Louisiana. She departed this life on April 13, 2014 at 3:40 p.m.

She graduated from George Washington Carver High School and Southern University in Baton Rouge where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education only to continue her studies, obtaining a Master’s Degree from Xavier University in New Orleans.

Gilda accepted the Lord as her personal Savior at an early age, and her prayer life was very important to her. Each morning on the prayer line, she lifted us up in the name of our Lord.

They prayed for the sick and our children; families; prayers for our protection, but most of all, that we continued our walk with Christ.

“Thomas”, as her colleagues in education so affectionately called her, was destined to become a teacher and passionately committed to educating our precious children for thirty-five years. She was an outstanding first grade teacher. Always the first one at school, and always last to leave.

But what she enjoyed most was seeing her former students on the street. Gilda would give that bashful smile and ask, “How are you doing?” The joyful hands would come up in praise when she heard “Miss Thomas, I’m doing just fine”.

When her boys were younger, every summer, they would pack up the car, and take a family vacation with all of us in tow. Taking short trips were just fine with Gilda. She did not like planes at all. Once when in Mississippi for a trip, we played a joke on her. Since her birthday was a few weeks before, the restaurant was asked to bring a cake out and sing. The look on her face when they came out to sing was priceless, and she belted out that famous, “What?” She just laughed and laughed.

Gilda loved to shop. And after her retirement, she put the petal to the metal. You could find her at Tuesday Morning, or looking for shoes. She once was asked how many pairs she had, and she gave me a look…..”Don’t you worry about that” was her answer. I knew what that meant, too many to count.

Her Story continued…

Our holidays spent together were so wonderful. Being with her family was her greatest joy.

She would always want her “macaroni and cheese”. If nothing else was cooked, that was just fine. Turkey and dressing was on the side. Thanksgiving was not going to happen without mac and cheese. Sometimes she would call first to see if dinner was cooked. We know that was code for “is the mac on the menu?” Always the teacher, when the children were younger, Gilda would get a book and they would cozy up on the sofa and the floor so that she could read to them.

Gilda Thomas was a devoted mother. She raised three magnificent sons. With God in her heart, she raised them in the church. Our heavenly Father was the center of their life. Only a phone call away, she was that voice of reason for whatever was going on in their lives. She was there for them like a rock, to lift them up in prayer to give them words of encouragement and comfort.

She was also a wonderful sister. Gilda was the eldest, and she represented that role in every way. She was our “Gilda”. When our mother was at work, she was in charge. As a big sister, she was a role model to us all. She was such a lady and so beautiful in spirit. There are so many precious memories that we hold dear to us.

Gilda was an active member of Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Church for over twenty years, where she served faithfully and dutifully with numerous ministries including Hospitality. She was a humble servant and never hesitated to do whatever was asked of her in the ministry.

Her parents Morris Riley Sr., Leona Morris Riley and her precious son David Michael Thomas, precede her in death.

Her legacy continues through her two sons Dwayne J. Thomas, Derrick J. Thomas; her grandsons Dwayne J. Thomas Jr., Landon D. Cannon; grand-daughter Kristian M. Thomas and her daughter-in-law Marlene Smith Thomas. She is also survived by her sisters Sandra Armelin, Dianne Beasley, Paulette Riley and her brother, Morris Riley Jr., a host of nieces, nephews, and sister-friend, Mrs. Carrie Taylor.

We all know that Gilda loved us, but most of all, she Loved the Lord!

“I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

Psalms 116:1

“Endless Grace”

I thought of you when I was sad today, and you Made a smile appear.

Right on my face you have replaced, a lost moment’s unhappy tear.

And within the thought of you came a brightness, Shining as bright as the newly risen sun.

As I quietly reflected upon the goodness I received, Realizing your outpouring of grace is never done.

Celebration of Life Monday, April 28, 2014 * 10:00 a.m.

Musical Prelude Processional Clergy & Family Devotion Old Testament New Testament Prayer Servant of Service ………………………………………………………………………………………..

Music Ministry …………………………………………………………………………………………....

Condolences from the Church ……………………………………………………………………….

Expressions …………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Reading of Obituary ……………………………………………………………………………………

Music Ministry …………………………………………………………………………………………….

Reading of Obituary/Acknowledgements………….…………………………………………..

Eulogy…………………………………………………………………….. Pastor Debra B. Morton Visiting Ministers ……………………… (2 Minutes Please) ……………………………………….

Benediction / Recessional

I’m Safely Home

PRECIOUS MEMORIES‌

I am home in Heaven, dear ones.

Oh, so happy and so bright!

There is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over, every restless tossing passed, I am now at peace forever, safely home in Heaven at last.

Did you wonder how I so calmly walked the valley of shade?

Oh! But Jesus' love illumined every dark and fearful glade.

And he came himself to meet me in that way so hard to tread, And with Jesus' arm to lean on, could have no doubt or dread.

Then you must not grieve so sorely, for I love you dearly still, Try to look beyond earth's shadows, Pray to trust our Father's will.

There is work still waiting for you.

So you must not idly stand, Do it now, while life remains - You shall rest in Jesus' land.

When that work is all completed.

He will gently call you home, Oh, the rapture of that meeting, Oh, the joy to see you come!

Dear Mother Somewhere in our hearts beneath all the grief and pain, Is a smile we still wear at the sound of your dear name.

The precious word is ‘MOTHER’, she was our world you see, But now our hearts are breaking cause she’s no longer here for me.

God chose her for His angel to watch us from above, To guide us and advise us and know that we’re still loved.

When we think of her kind heart and all those loving years, Our memories surround us and we can’t hold back the tears.

She truly was our best friend, someone we could confide in, She always had a tender touch and a warm and gentle grin.

We want to thank you Mother for teaching us so well, And though the time has come that we must bid you this farewell.

We’ll remember all you’ve taught us and make you proud you’ll see, And say, thank you our Dear Mother for all the love you showed me.

Although you’ve left this earth and now you’ve taken flight, We know that you are here with us each morning, noon and night.

WE ARE FAMILY

The day she had to leave us when her life on earth was through, God had better plans for her, for this, we surely knew.

Together Forever‌

In Tribute Our mother was our confidante, our rock, our critique, our greatest fan and cheerleader. She was a vibrant, radiant, gorgeous and highly educated woman who loved God with all her heart. She had a smile bigger than the sun and loved people. The relationship we had with our mother was uniquely eternal and spiritual, transcending most human comprehension. I have heard it said that it’s a blessing if a child buries his parent(s) and not the other way around. It is also said that one never recovers from the “loss” of their mother. It is our hope this is true as we hope to never recover from the memories of our mothers’ love, sacrifices, warmth and contagious spirit.

Mom, while difficult to let you go physically, we carry you with us in our heart and thoughts. The sun rising will remind us daily of the warmth of your love. Flowers blooming will remind us of your heart and life's adversities will remind us of your strong will. You gave us all of the tools to succeed in life and supported us in all of our endeavors. This is not the time to grieve but it’s a time to celebrate. WE REJOICE that you are in Heaven sitting with grandfather, grandmother and our baby brother. Thank you for conceiving, clothing, cooking, comforting, covering and caring. While we no longer have you in the flesh, the "real you" (the spirit) continues to live in your sons Derrick and Dwayne. We will continue to make you proud by living a life pleasing to God. You lived to tell the story of Gods glory!

You made it!

Well Done! your sons, Dwayne and Derrick

3 - 27 - 2014

Active Pallbearers Donald Buggage Garren Franklin Diriki Guillory Morris Riley Jr. Dwayne Thomas Derrick Thomas

With Gratitude & Love The family would like to thank D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home, Elder Tracy Ruffin, Sister Geraldine Pierce and the GSS Hospitality Ministry, Our Celebrations of Life, Mrs. Geraldine "Wiggie" Dixon, and all who have lifted up our family in prayer.

Sincerely, The Thomas Family

Arrangements D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home 3933 Washington Ave. New Orleans, Louisiana

Internment Providence Park Cemetery 8200 Airline Dr. Metairie, Louisiana

Repast Morton Hall Design & Printing by Our Celebrations of Life (504) 453-2186 or (504) 338-8753