Ola Ree Thomas

Ola Ree Parrish was born in Perry County, Alabama on January 5, 1935, to the late Odell P. Coker Haynes and Cass Dixie.  Ola was Odell’s oldest child and loved helping with the care of her three siblings, Susie, Rebecca (deceased) and Freddie (deceased).  Ola grew up in Fairfield, Alabama in a neighborhood filled with many close relatives living street by street.  She attended Fairfield Industrial High School and excelled in home economics and geography.  One summer, Ola visited a friend of the family and met her nephew Frank Thomas, Jr. and it was love at first sight.  Two years later, Frank moved to Cleveland for work and sent for Ola. They married on October 26, 1953.  Nine children were born to their union.  Ola worked outside the home for about 12 years before becoming a stay-at-home mom.

Ola had always been religious and found true happiness in knowing Jehovah and doing his will.  She was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witness on November 29, 1969 in Macedonia, Ohio.  She enjoyed the door-to-door ministry and providing refreshments at her home to friends from the congregation joining her in letter writing to neighbors about God’s kingdom to come.  Ola was most proud of those she helped plant the seed of truth, especially her children and grandchildren.

Although she dealt with a serious illness for a number of years, Ola’s strong faith and mightiness made her an example to all those who knew her.  Ola finally succumbed to her illness and she passed away peacefully on January 8, 2024.

In addition to losing her beloved husband Frank after 63 years of marriage, Ola lost her dear son Mark Anthony in death, as well as two step children, Jesse Wilson and Cassandra Jones.  Ola leaves to cherish her memory her loving children, Frank III (Rena), Dennis (Simone), Cynthia Kelly (Edwin deceased), Danny (Juanita deceased), Ronald, Oliver (Renee), Carol Rollins (Maurice), and Cheryle Chubb (Henry); 41 grandchildren, 27+ great-grandchildren; sister Susie Chambliss; brother-in-law Leon Thomas and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, as well as a myriad of spiritual friends.

We miss you Mom, and we all “LOVE YOU MORE”.

The family of Ola Ree Thomas will receive relatives and friends to pay tribute and celebrate the life of Ola Ree at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID, 4600 MAYFIELD RD. (just East of Green Rd.) on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, from 3 – 7 PM. A funeral service will be held at The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 3840 Lee Road, Cleveland, Ohio on Wednesday, January 17, at 11 AM. Interment Cleveland Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  

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