Caretha Thomas was born on December 29, 1935 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to the late James Young, Sr., and Emma Mae Young.  She was the oldest of 8 children.   She departed this life on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at the Woodward Hills Health & Rehabilitation Center in  Bloomfield Hills, Michigan at the age of 84.

Caretha accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized under the Pastorate of the late J.R. Williams of Elm Grove Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Upon relocating to Michigan, Caretha joined Trinity Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Richard Dixon, Jr., which continued under the leadership of Rev. Dr. John D. Tolbert.  Caretha was a faithful member of Trinity for 60 yesrs.  She sang in the choir, was a part of the Nurse Guild ministry and she attended Sunday Service, Bible study and meeting on a regular basis until her health deteriorated.

She completed her education in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System  and graduated ftom Capital High School in 1933.  When she moved to Michigan, she worked as a Nurse's Aid at Beverly Manor Nursing Home in Pontiac, now known as Oakland Manor Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.  She worked as a dietary aid at Clinton Valley Center and Fairlawn Center in Pontiac, Michigan until her retirement in 1997.

Caretha enjoyed cooking, shopping, travelling, going to the movies, getting her hair and nails done, bowling, and most importantly spending time with family.   She will be most remembered for her strong Christian faith, beautiful smile, kindness, words of encouragement, elegance in fashion and regal presence.

Caretha leaves to cherish her memory, two children, Byron Thomas and Roslyn Thomas, both of Pontiac, Michigan., four grandchildren, Ronzell Terry of Pontiac, Michigan., Rommetria and Caretha Thomas, both of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Dr. La-Nikqua Thomas of Atlanta, Georgia., four great-grandchildren; Shateema and Warren Terry, both of Cleveland, Ohio., Jerrick Thomas of Baton Rouge, Louisiana., and Michael Terry of Pontiac, Michigan., three great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, James (Lenora) Young, Jr., and Robert (Eunice) Young both of Baton Rouge, Louisiana., one sister, Angela (Elijah) Jenkins of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

Caretha was preceded in death by her parents, James Young, Sr., and Emma Mae Young, her husband, Huey P. Thomas, sons, Terry and Warren Lynn Thomas, a daughter, Janet Marie Thomas, sisters, Emma Mae Gaines, Pearlie B. Hayes, Ora Mae Pounds and  brother, Mitchell Young.

Ms. Thomas will lie in repose on Friday, 01/17/2020 at Cobb's Funeral Home 151 Orchard Lake Road., Pontiac, Michigan from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m.    Caretha Thomas's Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church 123 Wesson St., Pontiac, Michigan, Rev. Dr. John Tolbert, officiating.  Family hour will start at 10 a.m. and Ms. Thomas will be laid to rest at Perry Mt Park Cemetery in Pontiac, Michigan .