Hildonia McClary Thomas

May 4, 1924 - May 20, 2019

Hildonia McClary Thomas departed this earthly life on Monday, May 20, 2019 in Columbia, SC. Born in Kingstree, SC on May 4, 1924, she was the second of eight children born to the late Charles and Merie Wilson McClary. Hildonia McClary Thomas was a graduate of Tomlinson High School, earned a Bachler Arts Degree in Education from Allen University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from New York University. She was first employed as an educator in the South Carolina and Georgia school systems. Later, she became a geriatric social worker with the New York City Department of Social Services. In 1991, she retired after over 30 years of employment with the Department of Social Services. In her spare time, she enjoyed playing bridge, traveling (she enjoyed Peru, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and India) and her membership in the LIDS (Ladies Interested in Doing Something). She was a faithful member of Presbyterian Church of St. Albans, New York, where she was an Deacon. Active in her community, she was a life member of the NAACP, founding member of the Schomberg Library, and Allen University Alumni Association. Mrs. Thomas participated in the historic March on Washington and the opening ceremony for the dedication of the Mary McLeod Bethune statue in Washington, DC. In addition to her parents and husband (Harry K. Thomas, Sr.) she was preceded in death by siblings: Hazel, Edna, Johnnie Mae, William Etta, David, and Otis. She leaves to cherish precious memories: her daughter Nelda Thomas (Daniel) Canada of Columbia and a son Harry K. (Mithi) Thomas, Jr. of Fairfax, Va; seven grandchildren: Salimah, Jamil, Daniel, Kareena, Tonia, Casey, Emanuel, Zoe; three great grandchildren: Aliyah, Jayrin, and Kamani; one great-great granddaughter Kailyn; one brother Rev. Thomas (Beatrice) McClary of Ridgeland, SC; and a host of other relatives. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the following: Allen University 1530 Harden Street Columbia, SC 29204 Schomburg Library for Research and Black Culture 515 Malcolm X Boulevard New York, NY 10037