Mother Mable Lee Thomas was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, one of four children born to Reverend James J. and Mrs. Mattie Anderson. At an early age, she was brought to New York by her parents, and attended the Public Schools of New York City. She was successful in passing the very difficult examination for entrance to Hunter College High School. After graduating Hunter College High School, she attended the prestigious Hunter College, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics. At Hunter College, she was placed on the Dean’s list for her high academic average. She then completed 30 credits towards a Master’s Degree in Mathematics. She passed the New York City License examination for Junior High School mathematics teacher and retired after 30 years in 1991.

 

At the age of 4 years old, Mother Thomas was brought to Refuge Church of Christ, in Harlem, NY, pastored by Bishop Robert C. Lawson. She started as a student in the Sunday School Department, progressing from Beginner to Primary to Junior to Intermediate and Senior Class. Mother sat under such outstanding teachers as the late Mother Beatrice Mills (former COOLJC International Missionary President), Sister Georgia Terrill and Mother Irvie Kelly. She later became a Sunday School teacher which led to her biblical prowess. As a child she sang in the Pioneer Lily Choir, under the leadership of Sister Iona Manigo and sang with the Junior Choir, under Mother Annie Hayden. 

 

Mother Thomas began her study of the piano at the age of 11, under Professor David Mells. She and her sister, Mother Norvelle Powell, were known for their Piano Duets at musical concerts. She progressed rapidly in her musical ability and became the pianist, and later directress of the Junior Choir at age 13.

 

Mother Thomas received the gift of the Holy Spirit in 1947. She became a member of the Refuge Temple Radio Choir, which was under the direction of Elder Willie Watkins and Minister Henry Jones. She was chosen as secretary and later pianist under Elder Watkins and Minister Henry Jones. At the age of 18, she was appointed Directress of the choir, by Bishop Lawson. She directed the Radio Choir for several years, first under Bishop Lawson, and later under Bishop William L. Bonner. She was a faithful member in the Radio Choir and was never absent from rehearsal or the Broadcast Service for over 10 years. Mother Thomas was also the President of the Junior Usher Board at the Saturday Night Youth for Christ services.

 

Mother Thomas was a personal secretary for Bishop Robert C. Lawson, who was the founder of the COOLJC Organization. She worked voluntarily after school, on Saturdays and during the summer months while not in school, and then eventually full time. In this capacity, she typed Bishop Lawson’s sermons, his letters and also helped edit and publish ‘THE CONTENDER FOR THE FAITH’, the national magazine of COOLJC, working with, among others, her brother Apostle Arthur Anderson, who was the Administrative Assistant for Bishop Lawson.

​

Mother Thomas conceived, planned, organized and published the first Refuge Temple newspaper under Bishop William L. Bonner, named by him, ‘THE VOICE OF THE TEMPLE’. She was the Associate Editor of “FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE GOSPEL”, a book on the writings and life of Bishop R. C. Lawson, conceived and edited by Apostle Arthur Anderson. She was the co-editor of “The Life, Legend and Legacy of Bishop R. C. Lawson”, a book, conceived, planned, organized, published and co-edited by Dr. Robert C. Spellman. She also served as the Associate Editor of the revitalized ‘Contender’.

 

Mother Thomas served as a member of the COOLJC International Board of Education. In that capacity, she presented educational workshops at the International Convocation. She was a sought after instructor of workshops on PENTECOSTAL CHURCH MUSIC across the country. It was her desire that the heritage of Pentecostal songs not be lost, but transmitted to the next generations of Apostolic believers.

 

Mother Thomas was a member of the COOLJC Foreign Missions Department. She conceived the concept and served as president of the local Foreign Missions Board Representatives and as chairperson of the Fund-Raising Committee. Mother was a lifetime member of the International Women’s Council, author of the IWC Constitution, and she was the Parliamentarian of the Council. Mother Thomas was also a COOLJC Senior Missionary for over 60 years, first as Junior Missionary, and then as a Senior Missionary. Mother Thomas spoke on many spiritual and secular topics, taught many workshops and seminars on women’s issues at the IWC, the MDWG, the Missionary Department, the Foreign Missions Department and the Board of Education, the ABYPU and Sunday School on the Local, State and International levels.

 

In 1991, Mother Thomas was appointed by Chief Apostle William L. Bonner as the President of the COOLJC International Women’s Council (IWC) and served for six financially prosperous and spiritually blessed years. Her innovative accomplishments during her presidency included, but was not limited to the following:

- Appointed Vice Presidents and Administrative Coordinators for:

Home Mission and Recruitment, Foreign Missions and Social Concerns, Evangelism and Spiritual Growth

- Updated the IWC Parliamentary Procedures

- Reorganized the IWC meetings to include recognition of state/diocese finances, attendance and participation

- Initiated special IWC Units:

International Federation of Apostolic Educators-IFAE:

(Teachers, Administrators, Deans, Guidance Counselors, Para-Professionals, Assistant Teachers)

Purpose: Conduct parent workshops and teacher professional development.

International Nurses’ Unit and Allied Professionals -INUAP

(Nurses, Physicians Assistants, Nurses Aids, Physical Therapists)

Purpose: Conduct workshops and health fair screenings.

International Federation of Apostolic Legal Professionals-IFALP:

(Licensed Attorneys, Judges, Paralegals, Legal secretaries)

Purpose: To give general guidelines concerning the law.

- Appointed State Presidents and Regional Coordinators to oversee IWC spiritual and financial business.

- Revamped the IWC yearly Souvenir journal to included local, state, regional and foreign reports, pictures, etc.

- Revitalized the Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony which recognized outstanding women from the past and present.

- Raised the IWC treasury to an unprecedented level.

- Increased the visibility of the IWC- All COOLJC Women wear the IWC uniform, once per month, at a Sunday

morning service.

- Financed, supported and visited local churches and foreign missions.

 

As International President of the IWC, Mother Thomas traveled to Israel, Germany, England, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Jamaica, West Indies. In addition, Mother Thomas visited over 25 state dioceses to minister to the women as an inspirational speaker and motivational teacher and lay the groundwork for building up the local Women’s Council department.

 

Mother loved to read books of different genres, was a prolific writer and a unique bible scholar. Did you know that Mother Thomas was a game show contestant on NBC’s “SALE OF THE CENTURY” (1973), hosted by Joe Garagiola ” and “JEOPARDY” (1974), then hosted by Art Fleming. Brother Robert Thomas and Mable Anderson met at Refuge Temple, where they were both members of the Radio Choir. They were married on May 14, 1955. Mother Thomas worked faithfully and tirelessly with her husband, Bishop Thomas since his call to the Ministry in 1958. In 1965, Bishop Thomas was appointed to the Holy Light Church, in the Bronx, NY. In 1967, Bishop and Mother, along with a small band of prayer warriors, started Refuge Church of Christ in Corona, NY; now Greater Refuge Church of Christ, South Ozone Park.

 

At her local church, Mother Thomas was a Sunday School Teacher, Bible Class Teacher, member of the Missionary Board, Women’s Council Leader, church pianist/organist. She organized and directed the Junior Choir, Young People’s Choir, Gospel Choir and Adult Choir. She conceived and published the Refuge Corona Newspaper, “The Refuge Corona Times.” She served in many other capacities, too numerous to mention. Mother Mable L. Thomas was a creative, prayerful and dedicated Woman of God.

 

Over her many years Mother inspired many young people to reach their highest potential. Mother was a strong proponent and encouraged women to know their rights, know who they ‘are as a woman’ and know their place in God. Mother was able to connect positively, motivate educationally, touch spiritually and influence lovingly all of the men, women and children she came in contact with. 

 

Mother’s work lives today through her many ‘spiritual sons and daughters’ from Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, the New York State Tri-District Diocese, Refuge Church of Christ Corona and Greater Refuge Church of Christ in South Ozone Park.