Ms. Sheila Thomas

Sheila Ann was born on May 23, 1947 to John Doc Riley and Rosa Lee Riley in a small city called East Chicago, Indiana. She received her forma education through the Gary, Indiana school system. Sheila Ann married james Melton Thomas Sr., in 1962 and their union produced 4 children. The couple relocated to Milwaukee in 1970 with their 3 eldest children and by 1972 Sheila had given birth to 2 more children. Sheila was a very dedicated and protective mother who took her motherly duties seriously! She raised her children with "A Lot of Love and Very Strict Discipline!" After Sheila and james Sr. divorced, she never remarried. Instead she committed herself to church and caring for her children and later her grandchildren and many others! Sheila's natural caregiving skills extended outside the home and into a career in nursing. For several years she was employed as a care giver at Bell Air Nursing and Glenfield Health Care Center in Milwaukee. Sheila cared for her patients with love and she did her best to meet all of their needs. Some of the things Sheila enjoyed are Cadillac cars, horse playing with her children, taking her children out to eat and traveling. Her hobbies were sewing and creating wedding dresses and other clothing designs. She was also apart of a pool league and the Ace of Spades card team where she and her members won several trophies and enjoyed hanging out with one another. Sheila was affectionately called "Grannie" by her children and grandchildren. She loved God and the church and was a committed member of Greater Mt. Sinai COGIC for more than 2 decades before making Holy Temple First Born Baptist church her final church home. Sheila/Grannie "Departed to Glory" on October 20th, 2020 after a long battle with dementia! She was preceded by: her (father & mother)john Doc & Rosa Lee Riley (son & daughter) Byron & Racquel Thomas, (4) brothers Phillip, Steven, & jessie Riley, & Ronnie Hunt, (3) sisters Ethel Smith, Inez Andrew, & May Rogers. Those of you who know Sheila know that her extended family continued to grow throughout her entire lifetime because she adopted a host of children and other families into her own family. Sheila/Grannie leaves to cherish her memory: (4) children James Melton Thomas Jr.. and Dante, Velvicki, and Gailyn Thomas, (18) grandchildren, (17) great-grandchildren and (1) great-great-grand- child. Plus, a host of extended family which includes (3) daughters Emma and Lynn Ward, Pastor Teresa and Bianca & many nieces and nephews and all of you that are here today who Sheila called sons and daughters!

Ms. Sheila Thomas

May 23, 1947 - October 20, 2020