Eileen Thomas

Eileen Davis Thomas was the first of three daughters born to the union of Rev. James Thomas Davis and Elease McKinney Davis, She attended Garfield Elementary School when her father pastored at Dirr Street Methodist Church on the Northside of Cincinnati. Her family moved to Anderson, Indiana when Eileen was 12.

She completed 7th and 8th grade in the little town, which she became quite attached to. In spite of Eileen’s fondness for Anderson, the Davis crew moved again to Louisville, Ky. when the Bishop appointed her father to another church. She met many new friends along the way and graduated from Louisville Male High School in 1966. On to college at the H.B.C., Kentucky State College (not yet a university) in the fall of 1966. Eileen enjoyed college life and made new friends from all over the country. Since she decided to pursue a law degree (which did not happen), Eileen majored in History and Political Science, with a minor in Sociology.

Along the way, she became passionate about reading books. Her mother took her and her sisters (Gail and Kathleen) to the public library consistently during summer breaks. She did however, earn the degree in History and Political Science, and decided to pursue a graduate degree in Educational Media which prepared her to work as a public school Librarian and Reading Specialist. Eileen received that honor, Masters in Ed. at Xavier University in June 1977.

While pursuing her Masters, Eileen worked at Wesley Child Care Center in Avondale; which was a good experience that prepared her for the public schools. Throughout her career, Eileen worked at Stowe Adult Center (preparing persons ages 16 – senior adults) for application and Woodward High for proper job interviewing skills. She taught at Bloom Jr. High, Crest Hills Jr. High, Pleasant Ridge Elementary, and College Hill Fundamental Academy…all Cincinnati Public Schools.

Eileen was honored to be chosen to serve on the C.P.S. Peer Review Panel. She assisted new Librarians to get acclimated to their jobs and also helped veteran teachers (when in trouble) to get back on track. Eileen has authored several books for children and youth.

Eileen loved her participation in church ministry. She taught vacation Bible School , mainly with preschoolers, and served as a member and in leadership with the United Methodist Women, Voices of Calvary Gospel Choir, Evangelism and Worship Committees, Freedom School, The Food Pantry, The Upper Room Sunday School and several other  organizations at Calvary and New Vision U.M.C. Eileen also sang in the gospel choir at Gaines U.M.C.

Eileen, affectionately known as “Beans” by her family, leaves to mourn her husband, James W. Thomas; son Michael A. Boykin; daughter Andrea M. Benson (Bai); sister, Kathleen D. Taylor; granddaughter, Kennedy E.M. Benson; step daughter Shawnta Brent (Rick, Nayla); step son, Erik Thomas (Tameka, Erika, Bree, Bella); nieces Regina C. Barnes and Raegan M. Barnes; nephews, Sean C. Taylor, Lance C. Taylor (Kora), Sean C. Taylor Jr., and Chamaria N. Taylor and many others.

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