A Century plus Three of Life Celebrations begins with a walk that combines nostalgia and history allowing the recipient to look back on her life through the events that were going on from the time she was born. Mrs. Hortense Brothers-Thomas was born to Mr. and Mrs. Emma and Dock Brothers on April 19, 1913 in Birmingham, Alabama.

A life of celebration reaching her 103nd Birthday, WOW! She was born the third child. She also cherishes the memories of deceased parents; grandparents Mr. & Mrs. John Brothers, oldest brother named Willie, followed by Oscar and a younger brother that died shortly after birth.

She was united in marriage to her beloved late husband Mr. Joe Thomas, Sr. for over twenty years, whereas they had a step-son named after his father Mr. Joe Thomas, Jr. Hortense devoted many years to house cleaning, cooking southern, soulful dishes for the family, as a homemaker, nurturing and raising children. Sadly she lost her only precious child through a miscarriage but you would often hear her say in a very prtective mindset that she did everything but birth her nephew Mr. Ronald Baskett into this world! Meaning she gave him the world...

She accepted Christ and received her faith at an early age. As of today, she still is a long-term member of Wright's Chapel United Methodist Church. Today, with a new name and a new Pastor is known as New Beginnings United Methodist Church Reverend By Dedric A. Cowser. Whereas for a number of years Mrs. Thomas taught Sunday school to the Youth Department and was awarded the Teacher of the Year for many years.

She is a graduate from the Industrial High School, currently known today as A.H. Parker High School of Birmingham, Alabama. In May of 1982, she received the Certificate of Merit from participation in the 1932 Golden Anniversary Class Reunion Anniversary.

She worked in the historic downtown Birmingham distric at Loveman's Department Store and Pitizi. Her most fulfilling job was service with a smile as Avon lady through the years. She started out at an early age as a foot Soldier going from door-to-door as an Avon Sales Representative for over seventy-five years. She transitions her Avon customers to other family members just starting up their Avon client's list. She was still selling, sharing and helping others to help themselves supporting them as a Mentor with Avon products up until age 97. She strongly believes that it's one of the only companies where you can make people successful and change their lives…at the same time keeping the smiling and smelling good!

Mrs. Hortense Brothers-Thomas serving as the Avon Lady Representative. Reflects one of the most enduring and iconic images of women's entrepreneurship. As an independent Avon Representative her past performance reflects one of the most powerful women in business providing best customer service with a full range of products. She has also brought beauty into the lives of women, mothers, and those mother's children, with great smelling goods to the men too—first at home through door-to-door sales, then in the workplace to colleagues, friends and always enhancing communications daily(24/7) with phone calls.

She proudly represented Avon, the company for women, that's known as one of the leading global beauty company, with over $10 billions in annual revenues. Also as the worlds largest direct seller.

Mrs. Hortense Thomas Century plus Three Life Celebration begins with a walk through history taking paths through the economic boom times, depressions, the civil rights and other crisis's, …what's united Hortense as an Avon Representatives over decades and across continents is her dedication to building personal relationship, mentorship, sister-to-sisterhood, great friends that you can always count on… with that outstanding customer service with a big smile! Her hard work and dedication is a commitment that's both timeless and universal. Her hard work and legacy will not go by unnoticed.

As a result, Avon is a company that stands for beauty, innovation, optimism, and above all for women. In 1981, she was presented the award of merit for outstanding achievements in Religious and Community Work, just to name a few.

In 1985, she was inducted into the Avon Products President's Honor Society, belonging to an elite group of Representatives who dedicate themselves to excellence in everything they do. She was an achiever. That possess that inner strength that comes from knowing you're a professional- and believing that you can reach any goal you set for yourself. But she was also a very special king of a person. She truly cares about others that she would come in contact with, and that warmth and concern still shines through today in everything that she does. She was and will always be truly the heart and soul of the Avon companies that she so graciously represents.

In 1990, she was proudly acknowledged and inducted into the Avon Products Star Honor Society. Her outstanding performance in the Dimensions of Excellence has helped her become an Avon Star. She strived for ever-higher total sales and sales increases, she built her business by serving more customers and she recruited others to share the Avon earning opportunity as well.

She was frequently applauded-appreciated…and proudly acknowledged that we "Avon" are what we are because of her spirit and outstanding achievements.
Mrs. Thomas's legacy is measured by her leadership linkage with Avon global marketplace and in the human spirit: how many lives she changes, how many door-to-door were open!

A Special Tribute To
My "Auntie"
As a tribute to my Auntie, her Avon historical path and journey will be presented to the Avon Executive Corporation, requesting the manufacture of a Ms. Hortense B. Thomas African American Award be created and inducted into the Avon President's Club. The creation of this African-American Stature will be recommended for achievement and outstanding accomplished exceeded above expectations. Presented in the recognition of distinguished sales leadership continuing the tradition and legacy of achievement begun by one of the oldest living (if not the oldest), too. Request benchmarking the Mrs. P.F.E. Albee Award), reflecting perhaps the first African-American Avon Award Honoring a Leading Avon Representative…
Mrs. Hortense B. Thomas

One must note that my Auntie is…
A Lady that truly loves fashion, shoes and has kept her age "TOP Secret"! In the past she would wear the "girl-girl pink " beautiful dresses and hats. Although Auntie's favorite color was blue, during her latter years I did everything that I can to change them to the Alabama Crimson Red & White Colors… Roll-Tide! Changing her dress attire to sweat-pants and Bear Bryant tennis shoes. Her favorite song is Precious Lord and her favorite scripture is the 23rd Psalm….Check out the insert in Special Edition Newspaper titled I'm fine, with inputs of I'm fine as long as I'm still wiggling, as long as I s

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 1:03 P.M. at New Beginnings United Methodist Church with burial in Shadow Lawn Cemetery.