Ms. Almareda (“Alma”) Thomas was born on December 5, 1923 in Statesboro, Georgia to Mr. John Cox and Ms. Essie Mae Simmons; and raised by her loving aunt, Rachel Garland. At the age of 18, Alma relocated to Brooklyn, NY. She was very industrious and immediately found work to support herself. Nine years later, Alma experienced one of the greatest joys of her life—giving birth to her beloved daughter, Janice Marie. In 1963, Alma began her career as a Nurses’ Aide at Sephardic Nursing Home, where she worked for 21 years before she retired in December 1988.

After a careful study of the Bible Alma developed a strong love for Jehovah and, in symbol of her dedication, she was baptized in 1973. As a result, a big part of Alma’s life was sharing what she learned from the Bible with others. On some occasions, she devoted 60 hours a month teaching others about her God, Jehovah, and His wonderful promises for the future. She loved associating with this international brotherhood – even attending conventions in such places like Ontario, Canada and Honolulu, Hawaii.

Alma loved being a “Grandma”, using her two weeks’ vacation each summer to care for her “grandbabies”. She doted over her grandchildren, always cooking and making her famous three layer jelly cakes. After living for 40 years in Brooklyn, Alma relocated to Freeport, NY to reside with her daughter, Janice, son-in-law. Benjamin and the “grandbabies”. Freeport became
Alma’s new home where she was known as “GrandMa” to a host of young brothers and sisters, and enjoyed many lasting friendships. You could often find her sitting at her upstairs apartment window, watching the goings-on on Mount Ave.

In 2005, Alma relocated to Headland, AL with Janice and Benjamin, where she became a beloved member of East Dothan Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She loved preaching with her new congregation. When working in a car group, she would often as, “Is it my turn to get out yet?”

Alma fell asleep in death early Sunday morning December 24, 2017. She is deeply missed by her surviving family, who look forward to welcoming her back to a paradise earth. Alma is survived by her daughter, Janice Marie, son-in-law Benjamin Wright, Jr., grandchildren, Benita Renee and her husband, Michael Thompson, Bernadette Rochelle and her husband, Todd Murrell, Brysen Ramsey Wright, great-grandchild Bria Rylee Wright, beloved cousin, Catherine and her husband, Charles Woods and their family along with a host of other near and dear friends.

Services for Alma will be held at 11 AM on Friday, January 5, 2018 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 912 State Street, Dothan, AL 36303.

 Service Information