Obituary of Christine Denise Oakes Thomas

CHRISTINE THOMAS September 3, 1936 – December 8, 2020 Christine Denise Oakes Thomas was born September 3, 1936 in Perry County, Alabama to the late Columbus “Lum” Oakes and Dessie Lee. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized. She was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Centreville, Alabama where she remained until she relocated out of the state. She attended Bibb County Training School and graduated in 1954. After graduating she attended Alabama State College, Montgomery, AL, receiving her BS Degree in Education. She received additional education at Indiana University. She pursued a teaching career at Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, MS; later Druid High School in Tuscaloosa, AL; then Brownes Business School in Jamaica, NY. Christine relocated to Bay City, Michigan in the early 1970s where she began a career with the City of Bay City as the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer and later Purchasing Agent – retiring after 25 years of employment. On November 27, 1980 Christine was joined in holy matrimony to Raymond D. Thomas, who proceed her in death in 2003. Christine belonged to several civic organization and enjoyed people. Her greatest passion was storytelling. She could turn the simplest story into the most fascinating capturing the attention to all who would listen. Left to mourn her passing are two sons, Danny (Karla) Oakes, Essexville, MI and Darryl Oakes of Grand Blanc, MI, three grandchildren - Brittney, Preston and Blake Oakes all of the Detroit, MI area and one great grandson, Roman Pinson, two sisters Bertha (Roosevelt) Morris of Birmingham, Alabama and Marie Rhoden, Heflin Alabama, one brother, James (Pellie) Oakes of Marion, AL, three nieces, four nephews and two loving aunts. She was also preceded in death by her step-father, Albert Dobyne, Sr., two sisters Bobbie Dobyne and Doris Dobyne, one brother, Albert Dobyne, Jr. and a nephew, Christopher Dobyne. A family service will be held at a later date.