Shirley Ann Thomas-El was born, as the oldest of eight children, to the union of William Arlanda Thomas and Ada Lorene Lockett-Thomas on May 30, 1939 in Toledo, Ohio.
Shirley was educated in the Toledo Public School system attending Gunckel Elementary, Robinson Junior High, and Scott High School.
Mrs. El and her family were blessed with musical skills in singing and playing instruments. Shirley loved playing the piano, seeing her mother play and sing both at home and as a worship leader at Wabash Church of God in Christ. Shirley developed her playing skills and began to play for the Thomas Sisters Gospel Group singing in churches and auditoriums in Northwest Ohio and Southwest Michigan.
Shirley was a faithful member and pianist of St. Stephen's Church of God in Christ, under the leader of her son Pastor Tony Thomas.
Mrs. El was preceded in death by her parents, William and Ada Thomas; her husband, Willie El, and her grandson (raised as a son), Toby Manuel.
Shirley Ann Thomas-El, leaves to mourn her death her children, Pastor Tony Thomas, Rodney Manuel, Regina Manuel; granddaughter, Regina L. Nicholson (raised as a daughter); siblings, Sarah Forrest, Helen Chandler, Rosemary Koonce, Linda Glover, Wilma Thomas, Ron Thomas, Sr., and Bishop Donn Thomas. Shirley will be missed by a host of relatives and friends.
Services are 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 3, 2016, at St. Stephens Church of God In Christ, 5509 Dorr Street, where visitation will be on Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. where the Pastor is Tony Thomas, Eulogist will be Bishop Edward T. Cook. Services entrusted to The House of Day Funeral Service.