Ernie Marie Thomas

Ernie Marie Thomas passed away in Pearland, Texas on April 3, 2025. Born on September 18, 1939, in Heflin, Louisiana, she was the eighth of nine children born to Elijah Odom Sr. and Fannie Odom Johnson. Ernie Marie was raised in a devotedly Christian home and accepted Jesus as her Lord and personal savior at a young age while united with Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in Dubberly, Louisiana.

Ernie Marie spent many of her elementary school years living in Chicago, Illinois with her uncle and cousins. Later, she returned home, was advanced one grade level to graduate early from high school at Central Consolidated High School in Dubberly, Louisiana. Following graduation, she began her college studies at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in English, with a minor in Library Science in 1961. She became a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. on the campus of Southern University. Ernie Marie began her first job at Princeton High School, in Princeton, Louisiana as an English teacher and Librarian from 1961 to 1965.

She later moved to Houston and received a Social Studies Certification from Texas Southern University in 1968 and then went on to Sam Houston State University to receive a Master’s in Library Science in 1973. In 1974, Ernie Marie started her career as a Librarian at the Contemporary Learning Center Middle and High School in the Houston Independent School District. She was a dedicated employee for 25 years, until she retired in June 1999. She worked part time at Houston Community College as a Librarian from 1969 to 1975. She also became an instructor at the Catholic Charities Program for students seeking their GED’s from 1989 to 1991 and was appointed to the teaching staff for the Houston Works Summer programs at Texas Southern University in 1993.

On October 22, 1981, Ernie Marie was united in holy matrimony to Jorry (Buddy) Thomas and remained happily married for 25 years until his death in 2006. No children were born to this union. Ernie Marie was a devout Christian. She learned to play the piano at an early age while living in Chicago, IL. She loved playing the piano and singing Gospel songs with her sisters and brothers. In 1975, she became the lead pianists at Homestead Missionary Baptist Church, Houston, Texas under the leadership of Pastor R. Williams until his passing in 2006. She then moved her membership to Grace Church Humble, Texas under the leadership of Pastor Brett Jones. She served on the usher board, and attended many bible studies and book clubs until her health began to falter at the end of 2016.

Ernie Marie was very determined, and independent. Yet, she was humble and modest about her successes and accomplishments. She was extremely instrumental in creating the Houston Chapter of Southern University’s Alumni Association, where she served as the Chapter’s secretary for many years. She was also a member of various organizations: 1) Houston Association of School Librarians, 2) Texas Library Association, and 3) Phi Delta Kappa. She had a passion for reading, gardening, traveling, and working puzzles. She also enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with friends.

When her health began to decline in 2017, she shared her condition privately with her niece (LaDessa Jones) and husband Ronald Jones. By the year 2020, she relocated to their home in Fresno, Texas and was loved and cared for with the help of many other wonderful caregivers throughout the years. On March 31, 2025 she was admitted to Memorial Hermann Hospital, Pearland, Texas and fought a great fight with pneumonia, but finished her course by April 3rd and transitioned to her eternal life. We will always carry her memories in our hearts.

She is survived by three sisters, Odessa Moutra (Houston), Lucy Mae White (Louisiana), and Ella Brown (Harvey) of (California), one granddaughter, Michelle Fitzgerald, great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews and a special community of neighbors and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her husband, Jorry Thomas, five brothers – Rogers Odom, Willie (Dewey) Odom, Elijah (Plunk) Odom, Otis Odom, and Charlie Odom, one daughter through marriage, Pennie Fitzgerald, and one granddaughter, Charlotte Armelin.

Funeral arrangements will be held at 11:00 a.m., on April 19, 2025, at Blueridge Baptist Church, 9621 Chesterfield Dr., Houston, Texas 77051.

To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit our website at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/12330609