Mary Grace Thomas, 96, of Urbana passed away February 11, 2011 at home.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 19, 2011 at Bethel AME Church 401 E. Park, Champaign. Rev. Larry Lewis will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery Champaign. A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church.

Mary Thomas was born January 9, 1915 in Monticello, GA the daughter of Samuel and Sallie Glover Jordan. She married Taylor Thomas in Indianapolis, IN. He preceded her in death on November 13, 1988.

She is survived by her nieces and nephews Betty Lathem, Mary Anna Ross, Jennie Howard, Cloanne McKeever and Herman Jordan, Debbie Cooper; her God daughter Shannon Meares; special friends Henry and Paula Meares; cousins Gene Suggs and Marian Cullers, and a host of other family and friends, and her home caregivers for the last thirteen years Terri Miller and Irene Miller.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and five brothers, Harry Jordan, Sandy Jordan, Herman Jordan, Grady Jordan, and Samuel Jordan.

Mrs. Thomas worked as a secretary for Chanute Air Force Base. She attended Urbana schools and went to the U of I before marrying her husband. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Gamma Chapter Class of 1938. Founder of Graduate Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha and was a former President of the Chapters. She was a member of the Illini Sports Groups, Rebounders, Quarterback Club, U of I Alumni Association, and many community and civic groups. She and her husband, Taylor, were world travelers. Mrs. Thomas has been a member of the Bethel AME Church in Champaign since moving to Urbana. She sang in the Choir for many years, and was a member of the Missionary Society, Willing Workers, and was very active in the church activities.

Memorials may be made to the Bethel AME Building Fund. Condolences may be offered at renner-wikoffchapelcom.