Monty Thomas

Monty Joe Thomas was born in Wilbarger, TX on July 27, 1944. He was the 1st son of Pearlie Mae Mitchell. He received his education in Bastrop County at Booker T. Washington Public Schools in Elgin, TX. During his school years he was active in choir & football. Monty married Ivory Mae Flowers, his high school sweetheart on October 14, 1962 and to this union 4 daughters were born, although Monty really wanted a son and the doctors told them the last child would be a boy, to no avail , Monty gave his last daughter his name, but spelled differently. Monty professed a belief in Christ an attended Winn"s Memorial Baptist Church. After marriage he joined Pleasant Zion A.M.E. Church, later merged into Greater Mt. Vernon Zion A.M.E. Church. He began to play the guitar at the age of 12 by listening to Country Music and his father. As time went on he became fascinated with Quartet Music and heard about the Gospel Mourners of Taylor Texas and became a member in 1963. Although Bro. L.A. White had strict guidelines for becoming a member of The Gospel Mourners, it was not hard for Monty, because he already met the requirements. Monty was a faithful member of The Gospel Mourners for 23 years and traveled every Sunday morning to sing songs of praise on KTAE 1260 AM at 7 am. He was also apart of the Taylor Quartet Association along with many other groups to name a few: Diane Martell Singers and All God"s Children. He went on to form a group with his family called The Thomas Family, which was his wife and 4 daughters and later included 2 of his grandsons. The Thomas Family has released 3 CD"s to date and Monty was trying to get the family back in the studio to work on #4. His 3rd group was the Legendary Elgin based Gospel Tones (1985-1995). They traveled in numerous counties around Texas. After The Gospel Tones, Monty joined Rev. Milton Hill and The Gospel Soul Singers of Austin, TX and released a CD. Monty was a former member of the following organizations: Elgin Optimist Club; Elgin Evening Lion Club; Elgin Little League Association and Union Center Lodge #246 Monty stepped out on faith and established Thomas Appliance & Repair Service. Monty was always the "GO TO MAN" when it came to appliance and repair service. He could listen to the appliances over the phone and relate to the customer what the problem was just by listening to the sound. Monty Joe was a man of knowledge and wisdom. If you ever had a question about a sports team"..he knew. If you had a question about an appliance/ac/etc"".he knew. If you had a question about MUSIC"preferably QUARTET MUSIC or Ry Cooder ".his eyes would light up because he was about to take you on a History Lesson that you would not forget. Any questions about the BIBLE"..he could answer!Before his departure Monty was a faithful member of Greater Mt. Vernon Zion A.M.E. Church. He played a significant role in the building of the church even as far as the placement of the steeple on the church, which was done less than 6 months ago. Monty wore many hats in the church and didn"t mind because he always said, "Only what you do for Christ will last".An obituary can never capture every moment that transpires between the (-). With that being said Monty Joe was a soul giving Christian man sent by God. He left an imprint on everyone he came in contact with. Let the works that he has done speak for him.Monty was preceded in death by his mother, Pearlie Mae Roberson, step-father, Milton Roberson; sister Lossie Lee Thomas; grandmother, Estella Thomas and father-in-law, S.T. Flowers. After 70 years of blessings God in his infinite wisdom has called Monty Joe from labor to reward on March 27, 2015. He exchanged his cross for a crown. He was transformed at the twinkling of an eye as his spirit ascended to heaven. For the bible says in Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure at heart, for they shall see God". What joy he must have felt as his Father said, "Well done my good and faithful servant". Monty Joe leaves to cherish, his wife of 52 years, Ivory Mae Thomas; his (4) daughters, Gloria Hill (Rod) of Haltom City, Tx, Barbara Thomas ,Debra Edwards (Percy) & Montie Jo Thomas all of Elgin, Tx.; #1 mother-in-law, Ivory Flowers; (3) sisters, Virgie Jones of Manor, Tx, Mozell Stephen & Lisa Wilson (Elliott) all of Austin, Tx; (3) brothers, Ned Thomas (Mary) of Hurst, Tx, Ricky Tomlin & Oliver Dean Roberson (Dierdre) all of Austin, Tx; (6) grandsons, Jonathan Monty Murray, Sterling Monty Thomas, Donavan Monty Thomas, Ju"Ron Tyler Franks all of Elgin, Tx, Brayton Cash Hill of Haltom City, Tx, Airman Dion M. Edwards of Alaska; (1) granddaughter Briana Edwards of Pflugerville, Tx.; Great Aunts Ruthie Mae Matthews (Charles), Priscilla Fitzgerald all of Elgin, Tx; Great Uncle Willie Charles Thomas of Austin, Tx; Best Friend Rev. Aubrey Jackson; Special (Sons) Richard Johnson of Austin, Tx, George Hamilton of South Dakota, Alton Landry of Alabama; Special (Daughters) Theresa McCune (Norm) of Manor, Tx, Crystal Amey of Corpus Christi, Tx, Kim Williams of Pflugerville, Tx; (2) goddaughters JoAnn Hammond & LaShonda Reese of Pflugerville, Tx. And host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.The family will receive guests at the Elgin Funeral Home on Thursday, April 2nd from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM. A Home Going Celebration will be held at Greater Mt. Vernon Zion A.M.E. Church of Elgin on Friday, April 3rd at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Sayers Cemetery.