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Mattie Bell Thomas was born on August 3, 1935, in Clarksville, Tennessee, the daughter of the late James Edward Lockert and Fredonia Moody Lockert.
She received her early education in the Clarksville–Montgomery County School System. In 1953, she relocated to Indianapolis with her family, beginning a new chapter marked by faith, family, and hard work.
Mattie professed a hope in Christ at an early age and united with Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in 1953. In later years, she worshipped alongside her family at Little Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, remaining committed until her health began to decline.
On October 24, 1953, Mattie married James “Fats” Douglas Thomas. They shared more than 47 years of love and companionship until his passing in 2000.
Mattie was employed with RCA as an assembly line worker and retired after more than 30 years of dedicated service. She will be lovingly remembered for her joy in playing Bingo, working crossword puzzles, cooking, dressing up, and, above all, spending quality time with her family and friends.
On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Mattie Bell Thomas went home to be with her Lord and Savior. She was 90 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James; her brother, James E. Lockert; and her sisters, Carrie Lockert, Frances Merriweather, Marcia Murphy, Mary Ellen Jones, and Eliza Jane Long.
She leaves to cherish her memory her sisters-in-law, Bernice Reed of Clarksville, Tennessee, and Virginia Joseph; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
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