The following information about Lillie B. Thomas is from her obituary in the
Florida Times-Union:
Lillie B. Thomas, a lifelong Mayport resident with a passion for offshore gambling, died Wednesday of pneumonia. She was 107.
Mrs. Thomas was born in a house off San Pablo Road in 1892 and lived her entire life in the fishing village across Pablo Creek. Family and friends said she enjoyed rocking on her front porch and having a large crowd around her.
"She loved people," said granddaughter Janet Thomas. "It was a constant open house on her porch. That was the highlight of her day. The people were from all walks, homeless to millionaires."
Mrs. Thomas went on her last gambling junket three weeks ago, always with La Cruise in Mayport, just a few blocks from her home.
Her granddaughter said she had about a $40 limit and played the ship's slot machines every other Sunday, whenever possible. She enjoyed VIP status, meaning she boarded for free.
In a 1996 Times-Union article, Mrs. Thomas said, "I like to win, but I don't win much." She said she enjoyed the action and friendships on the five-hour cruises.
"I just hope everybody has a great life like she did," said Theresa Barker, La Cruise's reservation office manager. "She was a wonderful lady."
Mrs. Thomas outlived three of her seven children. In her younger days, she ran a bait market and also sold fiddler crabs to commercial fishermen. Her family is made up largely of fishermen.
"She was an extremely hard worker," her granddaughter said.
Mayport resident Ed Doss, 83, said he knew "Aunt Lillie" since he was 12.
"She was extremely well known in Mayport," he said.
Mrs. Thomas was cared for the last 10 years by her grandson, Otis "Smokie" Henderson.
Survivors include a son, Robert Thomas; three daughters, Charlotte Pack, Louise Spangler and Eula Bradford, all of Jacksonville; 30 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren and 28 great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 1701 Beach Blvd. Interment will be in Mayport Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 tonight at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home at Jacksonville Beach.