Mary Nell Thomas

Mary Nell Thomas. (affectionately known as “Nana”) was born in Danville, VA on Saturday, April 29, 1939 to the late Edward Lee Thomas, Sr. and the late Anna Mildred Witcher Thomas.
Nana was raised in Danville, VA where she attended then public schools. While in Danville, she attended a one room school named “Lovelace” and Southside High School. After the death of her parents, her brother, Edward and his wife Janie moved Nana to Youngstown, OH at the age of 16 to live with them.
After graduating from North High School in Youngstown, Ohio in 1957, she attended the St. Elizabeth Hospital, School of Nursing in Youngstown, OH. Nana graduated in 1959 where she became an LPN. She enjoyed working with people and providing loving care. She worked for 45 years and retired gracefully in 2004.
Nana accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She joined Price Memorial AME Zion Church in Youngstown, OH where she remained a faithful member until her health began to fail. She served in the Nursing and Country Kitchen Ministries. She later moved to Maryland to live with her daughter Lori. Nana was a spiritual woman that always read her bible, listened to Gospel music and prayed.
On August 30, 1958 Nana married Walter Watson and to this union, no children were born. On April 6, 1962, Nana married her soulmate Herman C. Harton Sr. They were blessed with two children Hermando (known as Cliff) Harton, Jr. and Lori Connors-Smith. They are now together again, as Herman preceded her in death on April 30, 1991. Nana was a hopeless romantic who loved to read her favorite novels by Harlequin Series Romance. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Nana had a quiet demeanor and was a powerful black woman that enjoyed giving advice and helping others. She could make a quiet room fill up with laughter. Nana also loved to cook for her family and friends. Her favorites were Mac and Cheese, Chitterlings, homemade cookies and rolls and her delicious German Chocolate Cakes. Nana loved her children, grand-children and great grand-children and she was always there for them. She also took care of her younger siblings, nieces and nephews while she lived in Danville, VA and Youngstown, OH. Nana will be greatly missed.
Mary Nell Thomas., 79 years old, transitioned, Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at her residence in Clinton, MD with her daughter Lori and grandchildren. Nana leaves to cherish her memories, her loving and devoted daughter Lori (Julius) Connors-Smith; Son, Hermando C. Harton, Jr. (known as “Cliff”) ; Sister, Christine Thomas-Jones of Trenton, NJ; Sister-in-Laws, Dorothy Thomas (Danville, VA), Beatrice (Bea) Thomas (Dry Fork, VA), Violeen Thomas, (Danville, VA), Marjorie Thomas (Danville, VA); Brother-in-Law, Lawrence (Brenda) Harton (Detroit, MI); Grandchildren, Misty (Genaro) Ortiz, Herman (known as Christopher) Harton, Jaime (Wakeen Smith) Connors, James Connors II, Chad (Lashanti) Grace, Janay Connors, Wesley Harton, Matthew Harton, Clifton (known as Arcey) Harton, and Isabella Harton. Greatgrandchildren, Deni Ortiz, Anabella Ortiz, Christian Ortiz, Jamari Connors, Jada Connors, Liliana Ortiz, Ariana Ortiz and Nevaeh Grace. Sisters that preceded her in death; Beatrice Thomas, Essie Barksdale, and Annie Lincoln. Brothers that preceded her in death; Edward Lee Thomas Jr., Linwood Thomas, John Thomas, Wilton Thomas, Conway Thomas and Chesley Thomas and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Family and friends will unite on Saturday, March 9, 2019 for visitation at 3:00 pm until time of service at 4:30 pm at Briscoe-Tonic Funeral Home, 2294 Old Washington Rd., Waldorf, MD. Ohio services will be held Saturday, March 16, 2019. 9:00 am at Price Memorial AME Zion Church, 920 Dryden Ave, Youngstown, OH 44505. Interment Tod Homestead Cemetery, 2200 Belmont Ave, Youngstown, OH 44505.

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