Rev. Avis Blake - Thomas' Obituary
"The light of God surrounds us; The love of God enfolds us."
Reverend Avis Blake-Thomas entered into Eternal Rest on April 12, 2020.
The Celebration of Life service will be Thursday, April 16, 2020 in the Rose Chapel of Mabrie Memorial Mortuary. A walk-by visitation will be held prior to service beginning at 10:00 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. Her service will be attended privately and may be viewed through live stream starting at 11:00 A.M.: https://www.mabriemortuary.com/AvisThomas
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Opened Bible Academy: 8524 Highway 6 North, Box #436, Houston, TX 77095, https://www.the-oba.org/donate
Rev. Avis Felecia Blake-Thomas was born the eldest child of John James Blake and Betty Ann Thompson Blake on January 13, 1960 in Mathews County, Virginia. Avis graduated from Mathews High School in 1978. She attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Health in 1982. While attending ODU, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was also a member of the Ebony Impact Gospel Choir and was actively involved with the University’s multicultural center.
In 1978, Avis met the love of her life, Allison (Al) Thomas, when they were both students at the University. They married on April 2, 1983, and shortly thereafter settled in Houston, Texas. To this blessed union was born their only child, a daughter, Ashley Danielle.
Avis continued her education earning a Certificate in Biomedical Communication and Curriculum Development from the University of Texas Health Science Center in 1984. She began working at DHL Worldwide Express in 1987. Over the years, she held positions of increasing responsibility up to Software Development Manager. In that position, she was responsible for a multi-million dollar budget, led the development of software used by DHL’s customer base worldwide, and managed a team of system analysts, software developers, and quality assurance testers. In 2009, Avis took an early retirement to devote her life to the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Avis was a devoted member of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, where the family has worshiped since 1989. She held numerous leadership roles over the years, including as co-founder and leader of the Women’s Ministry, Discipleship Training Teacher, and Superintendent of Sunday School. Avis was also active with the Congregational Development Ministry and a member of the Clergy Team. She was licensed to preach the Gospel in 2009, and thereafter began her studies at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) at its Houston satellite campus, and graduated with a Masters of Arts in Christian Education in 2014. She was ordained as a minister on Palm Sunday in 2015. Avis’s faith was foundational and exemplified in everything she did especially during her illness. She really believed faith could move mountains, and no matter what she faced always responded with confidence that God would take care of it. She did not seek the limelight; she sought to serve.
In 2014, Avis along with former DTS classmate Tina Brown, founded the Opened Bible Academy (OBA), a non-profit bible school providing training to individuals serving in churches, and those preparing to attend bible college or seminary. OBA has flourished since its founding, having graduated 170 students, with locations throughout Houston and Dallas, and in the Diboll, Texas prison. Later this year, OBA will open its first international class in Ireland. OBA also teaches its curriculum as part of the DTS Lay Institute, which has provided education to the Dallas community for more than 40 years. Avis served full-time as President until she fell ill in November 2018, though she continued to lead OBA as she was able. She helped build an amazing team of dedicated servants who now carry the OBA mission forward.
Avis was also active in the community, having served on the staff of Inspire Women, Inc., on the leadership committee for Young Life South Central Houston, and on the Board of To Raise A Child, a non-profit serving at-risk youth. For many years, she taught a monthly bible study at the Star of Hope homeless shelter.Those who experienced being under the umbrella of Avis's love were truly blessed. She loved you where you were while at the same time gently encouraging you to be better. Sometimes it was with a loving but blunt word, other times pushing you to your full potential—a potential that she recognized even when you didn't.
Avis enjoyed traveling, reading, sports, music, cooking delicious meals, and spending quality time with family and friends. She had a special relationship with her brother and sister-in-law so much so that she and Al joined them on their honeymoon, a time they all fondly reminisced about for years. The group of four went on multiple trips, including the Monterey Jazz Festival in California, which was an annual highlight. She was well-known for her nerdy and inquisitive nature and ability to discuss all topics from politics to jazz, and she was lovingly referred to as the “Queen of Google.” Avis was a real woman of faith in the Lord. She will be missed for her infectious laugh, big heart, and giving nature.
Avis leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband of 37 years, Allison (Al) Neal Thomas, daughter Ashley Thomas of Houston, Texas, mother, Betty Richardson (Charlie), brother Dwayne Blake (Vivian), nieces D’Andra and Elaina Blake, nephew Dwayne Christopher Blake, and great nephew Mason Blake, all of Hampton, Virginia, mother-in-law Mildred Thomas of Portsmouth, VA, step-sisters Jacqueline Richardson, Gwendolin Richardson, Evelyn Taliaferro (Curtis) of Hampton, Virginia, and Carolyn Thomas of Randallstown, Maryland, step-brother Cory Bachelor of California, and a host of other relatives, extended family, Church family, and friends. Avis was preceded in death by her father, John James Blake, and her father-in-law Allison (Tommy) Neal Thomas, Sr.
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