Mrs. Ina M. Thomas

THOMAS, Mrs. Ina M. - Age 70, passed away Saturday, October 31, 2015 at McLaren-Flint. Family hour 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 6, 2015 at Kingdom of Heaven Ministries, 2430 Dutcher St., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Dr. Lonnie W. Brown officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30 a.m. Mrs. Thomas will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. Thursday, with the family present from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Ina Marie Thomas was born March 9, 1945 in Pulaski County, City of Little Rock, Arkansas. She was born to Jon W. Bell and Beatrice Allen. She graduated in 1963 with honors from Harris High School, McAlmont, Arkansas. After graduating she moved to Flint, MI with her then husband, Elijah Thomas. To that union was born one son, Smith Virgil Thomas. Ina was employed for the United States Postal Service for 35 years and retired as a Supervisor in 2000. She also worked for H & R Block as a tax preparer from 2009 to 2015. She also operated her own business, Royal Expressions, where she specialized in gift baskets and floral arrangements. Ina Thomas accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior in 1995, at the Kingdom of Heaven Ministries (KHM). Under the Leadership of Apostle Lonnie W. Brown, Ina served on several branches at KHM including TLC (Total Loving Care) as Branch Leader, New Members Branch, Harvest Ministry, Audio/Video ministry and the Decorating Branch along with Sis. Edith Withey and Ruth Thomas. She was also a Prayer Partner with KHM for the Television Christian Television network and Camera assistant for Thy Kingdom Come KHM’s Television Ministry. Ina earned an Associate Degree in Interior Design ASID at the age of 66 from Baker College, Flint, Michigan. Ina’s hobbies included reading and collecting books especially cook books, and cooking (award winning desserts). She was known for building and repurposing materials to beautify homes and the Kingdom of Heaven Ministries. She was a skilled bowler winning many trophies while traveling to many places throughout the United States. She also bowled on the Kingdom Academy league for several years and was treasurer on that league with Ricky Brown and Paulette Haynie. She golfed and played tennis. Ina opened up her home to many ladies that were homeless or needed temporary housing. She was soft spoken, but her giving spoke volumes of her desire to do God’s will. Ina Thomas leaves to cherish her memories: 1 Granddaughter, Chelsea Marie Thomas, and daughter-in-law, Karen Thomas, (all of Flint), Brothers: Willie (Willie) Smalley, God given daughter, Tamiko (Aaron) Mason. Godchildren: Elders Okien (Kemi) Peters Friends: Juanita Rutherford, Albert & Sandra Robertson, Carolyn Larry, Terry Davis, Rhonda Dixon, Helen Colen, Mary Cobb, and God send Mira Dukes. Ina Thomas was preceded in death by: Parents: Jon W. Bell and Beatrice Allen, son Smith Virgil Thomas, Sisters: Evelyn Harper, Hazel Hart, and Ruth Warthon and Brother, Theodis Lord all of Little Rock, Arkansas. Niece Mae Retha Curtis of Flint, Michigan, and a host of other relatives and friends. The family would like to express thanks to: Dr. Lonnie and Lady Frances Brown and the KHM Family and Elders, and special thanks to ICU nurse Harveta Ward and McLaren I.C.U., McLaren 9th Floor nurses, Dr. Ali Owda and Dr. Abdullah Rafee.

Mrs. Ina M. Thomas

March 9, 1945 - October 31, 2015