Ellie Berna Lee Thomas was born May 4, 1946, in Cabarrus County, NC to the late John Dillon Henry 'Buster' Griffin and Pearline White Griffin Kiser. She entered into eternal rest on Monday, August 3, 2020, at the request of our Lord.

Brenda, as she was affectionately known, was a graduate of Kingsville High School in Albemarle, NC. She was employed by Johnson C. Smith University as a cook for over fifteen years until her retirement. She was also employed with Olan Mills Textile in Mecklenburg County for many years. Brenda gave her life to the Lord early in life and was a longtime member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. She served faithfully on the Deaconess and Missionary Board's and as a choir member. Brenda was a very humble servant of the Lord and loved praising God at every opportunity. Brenda always greeted everyone with her beautiful infectious smile and she had a very beautiful kind spirit that will truly be missed by all that knew and loved her.

Brenda was preceded in death by her husband, Charles A. Thomas, Sr., her daughter, Vickie L. Thomas, her sister, Wanda R. Griffin, sister-in-law, Lois Griffin, and her brother-in-law, Eddie R. Thomas.

Left to cherish her most fondest and everlasting memories: her two sons, Charles A. Thomas, Jr., Samuel L. Thomas, Sr.; one daughter, Latasha R. Thomas all of Charlotte, NC; four grandchildren, Madison A. Thomas, Kendall E. Thomas, Samantha Thomas, and Samuel L. Thomas, Jr., all of Charlotte, NC; five brothers, John (Alma) Griffin, Wayne Griffin, Avon Griffin all of Locust, NC; Paul (Genova) Griffin, of Oakboro, NC; Claude (Carolyn) Griffin of Badin, NC; one sister, Tina Davis of Charlotte, NC; two brothers-in-law, John (Diane) Thomas, Sr., of Charlotte, NC, and James "Toot" Thomas of Ansonville, NC; one aunt, Everline (Earl) Broadway of Locust, NC; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and many other relatives and friends.