Maria Magdalena Thomas

Maria Magdalena Thomas was born on September 23,1933 in Germany to the late Andreas and Magdalena Bollinger. She entered eternal rest on Thursday, December 7, 2023. She is preceded by Paul L. Thomas, her spouse of 50 years and her son Paul Anthony Thomas (Sheri Thomas). She leaves to cherish her memories, her daughter Rosita Maria Thomas and her grandchildren: Antonio, Craig, Nathan, Chad, Nicholas, Pete, Breanne, Taylor, Carmen, Tatiana, and Sasha and four great grandchildren. She also leaves many nieces and nephews, most of whom still reside in Germany. Andrea and Michaella live  in the United States. She also leaves many dear friends who were especially helpful as she slowly lost her mobility: Tony Autry, Hilda Glasco, Shirley Serrano, Mary Burns, Adrienne Cheasty and members of the SDA Church. Rosita, Nathan and her devoted dog Sophie were by her side in life and in death. Maria came from a large family: 9 brothers and 3 sisters. She was the last surviving sibling.

Maria immigrated to the United States in the late 1950s, brave, strong and quickly found a job even though her English was spotty. She studied and became a US Citizen in the early 1960s. As a military wife, she and her two children traveled with her husband Paul to many US and overseas locations. Maria's best liked being stations were Germany, Panama, and Georgia.

Maria showed her love through her cooking and her obsession with cleaning. She could spot a dust bunny a mile away. She retired from the hospitality industry where she spent many years as a housekeeper for Hyatt and then Sheraton hotels in Richmond, VA. She received Employee of the Month many times. In 1994, she won the Outstanding Women of the Year in the service industry for the DC Metro region. She loved being in the sun and by the water, watching the birds in her backyard, singing, laughing, and being with family, Sophie and friends.

A memorial service will be held for Maria in January 2024 (details to follow). She will be buried in Quantico National Cemetery alongside her husband.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that donations be made in her name to the Augusta Korean-English SDA Church, 4705 Wrightsboro Road, Grovetown, GA 30813-3162 or  Helping Hands Hospice,4642 Wheeler Road, Augusta, GA 30909.