Obituary of Obedia Justemia Thomas

Obedia Justemia Thomas (nee Hunt) known as Bee or BeeDee, of St. Paul, Minnesota passed away on May 18, 2021 at the age of 89 after living a full and productive life. Obedia was born on November 5, 1931 to Payton and McWillie Hunt in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Hunt family, Obedia’s parents and her siblings Howard Lee and Betty Jean, a part of the Great Migration, moved north to St. Paul, Minnesota in the 40’s where they lived on the 900 block of Carroll Avenue. Three years after graduating from John Marshall High School, Obedia met and married Harry D.S. Thomas in June of 1954. Together they raised three children Marcella Elaine, Harry “Dickie” Jr., and Payton Leon. She was a stay-at-home mother until she landed a job at Honeywell in November of 1967 where she was employed working in the copier center a position created especially for her until she retired in December of 1993. Obedia was a faithful member of Pilgrim Baptist Church for more than 70 years serving her Lord and the church in several capacities including as an usher, a member of the choir, the Women’s Ministry and as a Deacon. Obedia was active and involved with numerous organizations. She and her husband were avid bowlers and members of championship winning bowling leagues including the American Bowling Congress, and Women’s International Bowling Congress (WIBC) competing all over the United States. She bowled faithfully on Monday, Tuesday Wednesday and Saturday with the Twin City Ladies. Among the other organizations to which Obedia belonged, and was an eager participant were the Jolly Seniors, Red Hatters, Urban Partners, Birthday Club and the Golden Agers. Obedia documented every event, outing and all the trips across America through her love of photography and sharing her photos with friends and family whom she loved, especially her grand and great grandchildren. Obedia was predeceased by her husband, parents and brother. She is survived by her children Marcella, Harry Jr. (Sue), and Payton and sisters Betty Jean and Sharrata Mae. Her grandchildren André Thomas (Koni), Donald Thomas Jr., Muriel Kroll; great children Alyssa Grech, Donald Thomas III, and Zariah Thomas Hennessey and many cousins, nieces, nephews and life-long friends to mourn her loss. Service 10:30 a.m. Thursday June 3rd at Pilgrim Baptist Church, 732 Central Avenue West, Saint Paul. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Visitation 1 hour prior to the service at church (9:30 - 10:30). *Please Note: Pilgrim Baptist Church is still following their COVID-19 protocol and will require face masks while inside he church. They are still limiting seating capacity and will be livestreaming the service on Youtube via their website (pilgrimbaptistchurch.org) To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Obedia Justemia Thomas, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.