Marie Thomas was born March 5, 1921, in Camden, AL. She was the third of twelve children born to the union of the late John and Mary McConico. She grew up in Selma, AL, where she started young working in the corn and cotton fields making $2.50 a day.

At the age of 18, she married Claude Thomas, and to this union, one daughter was born, Claudia. Marie and Claude decided to move to Birmingham, AL, seeking a better life. She received her education at A.H. Parker High School. She confessed Christ at an early age and joined Saint Joseph Baptist Church in Smithfield. She served there faithfully for years. In her later years, she joined Macedonia Baptist Church in Ensley under the pastorate of Dr. William Norwood. Marie's first job after moving to Birmingham was making potato salad for $6.00 a week. She later acquired another job making $18.00 a week. Marie decided that she wanted more, so she went into business with her brother. That business venture did not work out, so Marie took a leap of faith and ventured out on her own. In 1969, Thomas Deli was born. Thomas Deli sits on the corner of Carline Avenue and Avenue T. in Pratt City. It is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Known in the community as "Mrs. Marie's," it stands as the longest-running, woman-owned, minority business in Pratt City. When she first started the majority of her customers were children; those children have grown into adults who love and respect her. She has been a statue of the community for over 50 years. If the people in the community were hungry, she would feed them. She was a true servant of God. Mrs. Marie Thomas was a witness to the goodness of God and her life; living to be 101 years old is a testament of God's love for his own. Philippians 4:13 states that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. These are the words that Marie lived by.

In her free time, Marie enjoyed sports, watching the Atlanta Braves, traveling, playing bingo, buying scratch-offs, spending time with her family, and attending family reunions. She had three wishes in life: to live to see the first black President, to be a business owner, and to make it to see 100 years of age. All of her wishes were granted. She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Her legacy will be remembered for years to come.

On Saturday, February 4, 2023, Mrs. Marie Thomas went home to be with the Lord. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Claude Thomas, grandson, Mr. Cleveland Agee III, and ten of her siblings. She leaves to love her until eternity: her daughter, Claudia Agee (the late Cleveland); granddaughters, Mrs. Debbie Agee and Mrs. Danita Agee-McCary (Freddie); great-grandchildren, Mondeno Agee, LaShondria Agee, Ed'Keia Agee Smith (Jamie), Freddie McCary, Terrance Epps, and Toccara Gresham (Brandon); eleven great-great grandchildren and four great-great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Lucille Smith (Alphonso); and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.