Julia Ann Thomas

Julia Ann Thomas, affectionately known as "Judy," was born on December 9, 1942, in Bridgeton, New Jersey, to the late Gertrude Forman Jenkins and Raymond Ralph Smith. She departed this life peacefully on February 27, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Judy was educated in the Wilmington Public School system and graduated from Wilmington High School in 1960. It was here where she discovered a passion for mathematics and a spark that ignited a distinguished 50-year career in accounting, finance, and bookkeeping. A lifelong learner, Judy honed her expertise through coursework at Delaware Technical and Community College and Goldey-Beacom College. Her professional journey was defined by dedicated public service, including roles as an Accounting Clerk at Northeast Federal Credit Union and a Staff Accountant at the Wilmington Housing Authority. She later spent over 13 years with the State Department of Finance in the Tax Division, eventually retiring in 2013. Beyond her formal career, Judy was a generosity expert. She spent decades preparing tax returns for family and friends, often providing her services free of charge to those in need to ensure no one was left behind. Judy’s vibrant and pleasant personality was reflected in her many hobbies. She was an avid genealogist who spent hours tracing her family history through Ancestry. She found joy in the simple pleasures of life: eating crabs with loved ones, playing pinochle, listening to the soulful sounds of Motown, being inspired by gospel music and watching Westerns, Law & Order and movies on the ‘Lifetime’ channel. She loved traveling back to New Jersey to visit her immediate and extended family, assembling intricate puzzles, painting by numbers and attending Indian pow-wows. She also was an avid cat lover and enjoyed spending time with her ‘babies.’ Above all, Judy was the heartbeat of her family. She lived for the moments spent with her children and grandchildren, meticulously planning barbecues and holiday gatherings that created lasting memories for generations. Judy accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and lived a life rooted in his teachings. She was a constant source of encouragement, frequently sharing biblical articles and books from her personal collection to uplift those around her. She is survived by her sister Mary Hynson of Jersey City, NJ., daughter Adonica Johnson (John) and son James “Ray” Rhodes (Tammy); stepdaughters Erica Coles and Yvette Dessassure; 11 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandson; a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and many cherished close friends.

Julia Ann Thomas

December 9, 1942 - February 27, 2026