PATRICIA ALLRED THOMAS

1944-2021

Patricia Thomas, known affectionately to her close friends as Pat and to her grandchildren as Nonnie, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, the 11th of March 2021. In her final days, Pat was surrounded with love, prayers, songs and fond memories by family, friends and her beloved caregivers.

Pat was born on the 10th of September 1944, in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late Christopher Faulkner Allred and Rita Bolian Allred. She attended Jesse H. Jones High School in Houston followed by The University of Texas at Austin. After graduation and a memorable, adventurous year traveling Europe with close friends, Pat moved back to Houston and worked for several years as an elementary school teacher at Henderson Elementary School. Pat married Ralph Thomas of Houston, Texas on the 19th of July 1969, and they were married for twenty-eight years. Pat and Ralph proudly raised two wonderful children in Houston, Christopher and Alicia.

Pat was a devoted daughter, wife, mother and loyal friend to many. She enjoyed regular bible study groups, travel, and entertaining friends and family in her home, at the family ranch in Van Horn, Texas, and on their boat, the Patricia T. For years, family friends of all ages looked forward to the fun and festive annual Easter party at Pat’s house. A strong desire to positively impact the community led

Pat to volunteer in numerous organizations, including the Houston Ballet, Covenant House, The Kinkaid School and The University of Texas. Pat was a faithful member of Second Baptist Church and loved being a part of the Sojourners Sunday school class. Pat also loved caring for flowers at her home, especially her prized rose bushes that people still love to talk about as they pass by on walks down Shadywood. Pat’s beautiful smile, legendary one-liners, “strong” opinions and fun-loving spirit will live on forever in our hearts.

Pat is survived by her children, Christopher Bowman Thomas of Houston, Texas and Alicia Thomas Garrison of Houston, Texas, and her four grandchildren Thomas Garrison, Charles Garrison, Caroline Thomas and Christopher Thomas.

Her family is full of gratitude to the loving souls who cared for her for so many years, especially Johnny and Ethel Milton, Theresa “Candy” Miller, Edith Lemon and Sally Odenian.

A celebration of Pat’s life will be held at eleven o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 24th of March, in the Sanctuary at Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway in Houston, where Dr. Gary Moore is to officiate.

In lieu of floral tributes or other customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to The Arthritis Foundation, PO

Box 96280, Washington, DC 20077; Covenant House Texas, 1111 Lovett Blvd., Houston, TX 77006; or to the charity of one’s choice.