Willa Lee

Thomas

Willa Lee (Garnett) Thomas was born on February 5, 1937, to Bowling and Naomi Garnett in Toledo, Ohio. She was the youngest daughter of five girls, whom they affectionately nicknamed "Billie". Willa Lee accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior early in her life, as it was hard to live with Bowling and not attend church. She was educated in the Sylvania Public School system and attended Sylvania Burnham for high school. Once she left high school, she met and married

William Edward Thomas Sr., whom she had known as a young girl. To their union, they welcomed 10 children.

Willa Lee worked as a domestic worker for most of her working years. In the mid-90s, she began working for Lucas County in the facilities department. She retired in 2006 to care for her loving husband, as he experienced several chronic health conditions.

Willa Lee was a devoted mother and wife, and a true homebody. She dedicated her life to caring for her husband of 53 years, until his passing in 2006, and raising her children and grandchildren. Most days, you would find Willa Lee at home, often fixing small electronics, watching MSNBC, the local news at noon, and of course, her favorite Soap Opera, The Young and the Restless. On other days Willa Lee frequented local thrift shops, looking through all the gently used items and housewares and finding great bargains.

Willa Lee was preceded in death by her husband and sons, Ronald L. Thomas Sr., and Phillip S. Thomas Sr., daughter, Lisa, sisters, Frances Lomas and Mary Bush, grandsons William Thomas III and Floyd Mitchell III, and great grandson Tomazz Wilson.

She leaves to cherish her memory, eight children, Linda Davis, Valerie Thomas, William E. Thomas Jr., Phyllis (Michael) Hardy, Gary Thomas Sr., Kim Huggins, Steven Thomas Sr., and Karen (Lewis) Simpson; 28 grandchildren, 67 great grandchildren, and 8 great-great grandchildren; sisters Lottie Williams and Ellen Garnett (Houston, TX.), and sisters-in-law Diane Gilmer and Sandy Robinson, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, friends and extended family.