Born Augusta Louise Edwards on August 14, 1933 in Chiefland, Florida, Augusta Thomas passed away at her home in Tampa on September 27, 2024, at the age of 91.  Augusta showed great promise from a young age.  At 14, a local educator recognized her potential and invited her to live nearby to attend a high school with college-preparatory courses.  Her academic excellence earned her a scholarship and, by the age of 16, Augusta was a freshman at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College (FAMC, now FAMU), where she graduated summa cum laude.  While at FAMC, she became a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, later remaining an active member of the Beta Sigma Zeta alumnae chapter as a Life Member.  Augusta cherished her lifelong friendships with her sorority sisters and was especially proud of her contributions to organizing the Sir Debonaire Balls in the 1980s.

After graduating from FAMU in 1954, Augusta earned a Master’s degree in Guidance Counseling from Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta).  In 1977, she furthered her studies, obtaining an Ed.S. from the University of South Florida.

Augusta’s professional career was as impressive as her academic journey.  She worked as an adjunct and then assistant professor of Social Work at the University of South Florida, but her most recognizable role was as the Executive Director of the Tampa Urban League, where she served for 16 years.  During her tenure, she was instrumental in programs like Save-A-Youth and launching the NOW television program.  Her leadership in providing technical training for Black workers enabled many to secure jobs that offered living wages, allowing them to support their families.  Though the United Way was a major donor to the Tampa Urban League, Augusta took pride in directing the Urban League’s resources in a way that best suited the Black community, not blindly adhering to the wishes of funders who were often more comfortable with more moderate approaches.  In the mid-1980s, she took a sabbatical to pursue a Ph.D. at Florida State University.  She also attended classes at USF. Ultimately, she reached the status of what is known in academia as ABD (All But Dissertation).   Unfortunately, family commitments sabotaged her efforts to complete and defend a dissertation.

Before and subsequent to her Urban League tenure, Augusta dedicated a total of 30 years to serving as a social worker and school counselor in Hillsborough County schools.  Through her guidance and grant-writing abilities, she positively impacted the lives of countless students, creating special programs and securing vital resources for her community.

Augusta’s personal life was equally rich. She had a passion for classical music, often treating her family to Handel’s Messiah during the holidays.  She was also an accomplished gourmet cook, known for her signature dishes, including chicken marsala, gumbo, and a deeply beloved extra deep dish lasagna.  Her culinary talents extended to replicating meals she savored at fine dining establishments, wowing her family with her knack for recreating the dishes at home.

Augusta was preceded in death by her parents JL Edwards and Viola Powell and her 10 siblings: Frank, Ivory, John Henry (Hakim El-Amin), James Robert, Isaiah, and William Donaldson, Luella Washington, Beatrice Tate, Addie Watts, Margaret McClendon; her father and mother-in-law Louis Thomas Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Thomas; her brothers and sisters-in-law Frankie Owens, Frances Thomas, Leslie Thomas, Jessie Thomas, Louis Thomas, Jr., Wyatt Thomas, Mary Cohen, James Walker; her stepdaughter, Gilda Thomas; and her stepson, Larry Thomas.  She is survived by her husband Johnnie Thomas; her children, Veda Bawo, James Daniel Marshall, III (Marisa); her stepchildren, Mary Ann Kirton, Gerald Thomas (Earthine), and Jenifer Thomas; former sons and daughters-in-law Alieu Bawo, Jenine Marshall, Marie Martin Thomas, Ira Thomas; her brothers and sisters-in-law Girt Lee Walker, Daisy Barton, Wilson Thomas (Edith), Charlie Thomas (Elaine), Marjorie Thomas, Emma Thomas, Precious Thomas.   She also leaves behind numerous grandchildren—Ericka Kirton, Dwayne Thomas, Michelle Thomas, Robert Thomas, Gerard Thomas (Danielle), Brittney Robinson, Noni Marshall, Biram Bawo, Abubakar Bawo, Papaya Marshall, and others—as well as a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, Sorors and lifelong friends.

Augusta Thomas lived a full and meaningful life, marked by her love for her family, her community, and her unwavering commitment to education and service. Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched.  She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 2, 2024 from 11AM-2PM at the Lightfoot Senior Recreation Center, 10901 N 56th Street, Temple Terrace, FL 33617. 

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