Oberlin-Funeral services for Mary Ezabia Thomas, 94, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at Progressive Church of God in Christ, 712 8 ^th St. Oberlin. Superintendent Dallas Thomas will officiate. Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery under the direction of Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.

The family will receive visitors at Progressive Church of God in Christ on Saturday, November 26, 2022 from 9 a.m. until time of service.

The journey of the life of Mary Ezabia Thomas began on May 25th, 1928 in Mamou, LA, she was born to Roy and Estella Cezar and was the second of seven children. Growing up Mother Ezabia spent much of her childhood alongside her family working on the farm and helping to raise her siblings.

In 1944 she was united in holy matrimony to Levon Thomas and they began a journey that would last over 66 years. Mother Ezabia was an exceptional wife who alongside her husband worked tirelessly to provide for her family as a farmer. She spent over 74 years as a loving mother to 13 children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom she nurtured and cared for deeply. She cared deeply for her family and friends. She did this not out of obligation, but because of who she was. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing, and baking. Everyone who knew her knew that God was the center of her life and it was in his presence that she longed to be.

Mother Thomas accepted Christ in nineteen sixty-five. She was a faithful member of Progressive COGIC under the leadership of the late Bishop Obey Pete Sr. and now the present pastor (her son) Pastor Dallas Thomas for over 50 years until her health failed her. Mother Thomas served faithfully as a member of the Choir, Deaconess Board, Sewing Circle, Janitor of the church, and Mother's Board. She also served as the Senior Church Mother in the DeQuincy District. Mother Thomas would visit the sick and shut-in praying for them continually.

On the morning of Thursday, November 17, 2022, Mother Ezabia's assignment on earth was completed.

Those left to cherish Ezabia's memory include her four sons and seven daughters, Charles Thomas, of Brenham, TX, Leo Thomas (Sandra), of Fenton, Dallas Thomas(Ruth), Joseph Thomas (Nancy), Marvie Brown, Ezora Thomas, Helen Captain (Ray Charles), of Oberlin; Martha Artis of Orange, CA; Verda Cole of Lake Charles, Jackie Prater (Grant), of Lake Charles, Lee Ethel Muhammad (Sam) of Baton Rouge, sister, Mildred Goodly of Fenton; fifty-two grandchildren; ninety-two great-grandchildren; twenty great-great-grandchildren and a host of family, in-laws & friends.

Ezabia is preceded in death by her parents, Estella and Roy Cezar; husband, Levon Thomas; son, Zeno Thomas; daughter, Estella Diana McMahon; two brothers, Robert and Bob Cezar; three sisters, Elizabeth Brock, Etonia Joubert, and Jessie May Cezar; granddaughter, Melissa Artis; great-grandson, Telvis Artis, Jr.; great-granddaughter, Analise Tucker.