This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: THOMAS, WATKINS, BROWN, RICHARDSON, BELL, CAINESBLAKE Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/zV.2ADI/1683 Message Board Post: Mabel Colette Thomas Memorial services are pending for Mabel Colette Thomas who passed away on Oct. 1 at Alderson Convalescent Hospital. She was born in Oakland on June 17, 1910 to Huriah and Lula Watkins. Because of her poor health at birth, the family was forced to move to the Capay Valley, where she and his siblings were reared. She graduated from Esparto High School in 1930. Mabel was very proud of becoming "Woman of the Year" in 1991. She was quite active in the AARP, served four years as president of the Yolo General Hospital Auxiliary, a tutor for the HOSTS (Help One Student To Succeed) program and was very successful with her catering business. Her husband, Laurence "Bucky" Thomas preceded her in death, in 1999, as well as her sister Eloise Brown, and her brothers William, Archie, Herbert, Clyde, Lionel, and Herman Watkins. A nephew, Martin Watkins, and great-grandniece, Sandra Brown, also preceded her in death. She is survived by her nieces Rowena Richardson, Nedra Bell and Elena Caines; nephews Herman, Glenn, Carroll and Gary Watkins, Walter Brown and Robert Bell; grandnieces and grandnephews Chris Brown, Kim Blake, Ron and Keith Bell, Sandra, Steven and Michael Watkins, Nikki and Jason Bell and five great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. Mabel also leaves her "special" family at Alderson who lovingly and faithfully cared for her for many years. Donations in the name of Mabel Thomas may be made to the American Heart Association or Meals on Wheels. Any inquiries may be directed to Rowena Richardson at 669-7784. (Obituary from the Woodland "Daily Democrat," Sunday, October 10, 2004, (Woodland, Yolo County, California). Submitted with the permission of the "The Daily Democrat," 711 Main St., Woodland, CA 95695. <http://www.dailydemocrat.com/> Please note: I am not related to the family listed above, and I do not have any further information on this family.)