Helen O. Thomas

Helen Olivia (Banks) Thomas was born on December 16, 1932 in Tupelo, Mississippi to the late Eugene and Marietta (Powell) Banks. She was the youngest of four children.

Helen attended the Mooreville school in Tupelo, Mississippi. She was a member of the Mooreville C.M.E. Church where she accepted Christ at an early age. The family relocated to St. Clair Shores, Michigan in 1941 and resided on Roberson Street.

Helen graduated from Lakeshore High School in 1950. She was united in marriage to the late Eddie Scales and to this union one child was born, Loretta Scales. The family then relocated to Cleveland, Ohio where she attended Jane Adams Nursing School during the day and Erma Lee Beauty College for Cosmetology during the evening.

Helen began her career in Nursing at the Jane Adams School of Nursing. She pursued a second career in Cosmetology in 1965. She later married the late James Thomas, the same year she joined Bethlehem Baptist Church and became an Eastern Star. She retired from nursing. her hobbies were sewing, reading and cosmetology. she was an accomplished hairdresser.

Helen was willing to give a helping hand to anyone who needed it. In later years as her health began to fail; her devoted daughter Loretta moved back home to take care of her along with the help of her grandson, Aaron. After many years of declining health, she relocated to Wickliffe Country Place Nursing Home.

Helen departed this life for her heavenly home on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at 6:00pm. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers; Joseph Banks and Willie Bob Banks, and one sister Lillie Bell Parks.

She leaves to cherish her memory; One daughter; Loretta Scales, One grandson; Aaron Scales Sr., Four great-grandchildren; Brandon, Aniya, Aaron Jr., and Arriyana. One sister-in-law; Ida Banks. A special friend; Annie Crowder along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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