Elizabeth Thomas

Elizabeth Thomas, daughter of the late John and Willie Mae Holt was born on February 17, 1923, in Pittsburgh, PA. She was the fifth of twelve children. She attended Pittsburgh Public Schools and graduated from Peabody High School in 1942.

Elizabeth began her Christian journey at the age of 16, when she was baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost at Bethlehem Temple Church under the late Bishop F.M. Thomas. She served in various capacities at the church as Secretary of the Missionary Department, Sunday School Teacher, Secretary of Sunday School and a Member of the Radio Choir.

On November 27, 1948, she was united in marriage to Freeman L. Thomas. One daughter, Karen Diane Thomas was born to this union.

In 1958 she began worshipping at Refuge Temple Church under the leadership of the late Bishop Alexander Stokes. She served faithfully there as Secretary of Sunday School and as a Sunday School Teacher. She then worshipped for several years in Connellsville, PA under the late Pastor Nannie Glenn. Serving as a Sunday School Teacher and Treasurer of Sunday School.

In 1971, husband Elder Freeman L. Thomas began pastoring at 8100 Frankstown Avenue in Homewood, PA. Here she served as President of the Missionary Department and as a Sunday School Teacher. In 1984, the church moved to 800 South Avenue in Wilkinsburg, PA, where she continued working and doing whatever her hands found to do. After the passing of Elder Thomas in 2008, the church building was taken over by Elder Curtis Lewis, who had served faithfully under Elder Thomas for approximately twenty years. The building became El-Bethel Temple Church where she continued worshipping.

Elizabeth departed this life on March 3, 2024. She leaves to mourn her passing a loving and devoted daughter, Karen Murray. Two precious grandchildren, Krystin Moore (Jason) and Dr. Kristopher Murray. One precious great-granddaughter Rian Savannah Moore. Two sisters, Mary Flowers of Cleveland, OH and Willa Robinson of Pittsburgh, PA. Brother in Law Dr. Lowell Thomas. Godchildren Leonard Perdue, Frederick Reynolds and Vicky Robinson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and her El-Bethel Temple Church Family.

Preceded in death by six brothers, Peyton, John, James, Isaiah, Joseph and Robert and three sisters, Virginia, Dorothy and Ruth.

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