Chern Thomas

   Chern Eugene Thomas was born in New York, NY on February 1, 1932. He was the fourth child of Dewey Herbert and Annie D. (Burrows) Thomas. He had two brothers: Lawrence Calvin Thomas (1928-2023) and Dewey Thomas Jr. (1938-2008). He had five sisters: Jean Thomas (1934-1940), Veronica Burrows (1929-2009), Marilyn Anne Thomas- Stevenson (1931-2024), Jean Thomas (1934-1940); twin sisters Claire Thomas-Mitchill (1936) and Consuello Thomas-Timberlake (1936).

   Chern was raised in the Catholic Church and attended public school (PS127) in East Elmhurst, NY. He graduated from Newton High School. 

His father Dewey Herbert Thomas (aka Mr. T) passed away (November 12, 1987). His mother Annie D. Thomas passed away (October 26, 1996). His grandson Chern E. Thomas III passed away (July 8, 1973).

   Chern married his high school sweetheart, Rose May Henderson, On June 29, 1948. He had three children with Rose May: Chern Eugene Thomas Jr (1948-2011), Renee Thomas-Perkins (1949), and Celina Thomas-Nelson (1952). Chern married Elizabeth (aka Bettye) Jean Doyle-Pettiford on January 29, 1972. He had two stepchildren with Bettye: Michael Pettiford and Sharon Nicholas. Bettye passed away on February 5, 2016 in Henderson, Nevada. Bettye and Chern were happily married for 44 years and together as a couple for almost 50 years before she passed.

   Chern was a United States Army Veteran who served from January 1954 to January 1963; He was Honorably Discharged from the reserves. In 1974, he was employed as a corrections officer for the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons. He retired from the position after 20 years of exemplary service in 1994. Shortly after retirement, Chern and Bettye moved from New York to Henderson, Nevada. Cheern became a little bored and worked at the University of Nevada.

   Chern Loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his siblings, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and close friends. He enjoyed traveling to special events or special occasions in support of his siblings and extended family. He enjoyed listening to jazz, talking about sports, and current events! He was a sharp dresser and a consummate gentleman. 

   Chern and Lulu Harris met by accident in July 2017, she was leaving the Green Valley Ranch Casino in Henderson, NV and he was entering the casino. The heel on her shoe broke off and Chern quickly offered to assist and escort her to her car. They became good friends; that relationship turned into companionship. With his declining health, and no immediate family in Nevada, Lula became his primary caregiver. Chern didn't want to leave Nevada; He wanted to be buried with his beloved wife Bettye. Lula very much cared about his well being and did whatever was needed to help him. Lula kept his family updated on his health and other matters of importance. The family is very grateful that the Lord brought Lula into Chern’s life.

   Cherishing his memory are his children Renee (Edward) Perkins, Celina Nelson, Michael Pettiford, and Sharon (Luther) Nicholas. Grandchildren Renee Bradley Jinks, Nicde Ali, Angela Perkins, Tanya Perkins, Cursena (Kyle) Kirkland, Morrell Nicholas, and Tyree Nicholas. Great-Grandchildren: Asia Jinks, Jenardre Ali, Nailal Jinks, Najee Jinks, Faith Ali, Ava Nicholas, Marlowe Auslander. He is also survived by his twin sisters Clair Mitchlll and Consuello Timberlake and a host of nephews and nieces.