Modie Ree Thomas

Modie Ree Thomas made a peaceful transition on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 just 8 days following her 85th Birthday. Born Inester Modie Ree Suggs on September 1, 1935 in Cypress Creek, North Carolina to Georgia Anna Suggs Morrisey and Charlie Boykin known as Chal. Modie was the eldest of 6 children. As a child Modie Ree received thorough training on becoming a good farm worker. Modie Ree had no desire for this to be her career. She learned the value of hard work at a very young age. A strong work ethic became a permanent part of Modie Ree’s personality. In 1951, Modie married her 1st husband Winfield Herring, becoming Modie Ree Herring at the age of 15. They were blessed with 6 children: Hattie Ree, Winfield Jr., Barbara Jean, Loretta Faye, Lorene, and Nelson Bruce. Modie & Winfield lived in North Carolina on their farm. They took a bold step and moved to New York. This was probably one of the most exciting moments for Modie Ree, she was convinced there was something more to life than “Farming.” Once Modie Ree experienced the city life of Newburgh, New York, North Carolina became a “thing of the past”. Her only reason for returning was to give birth to her 6th child Nelson, so he could be born in Garland, NC just as his siblings. The only other reason was visitation of her family and loved ones that she left behind. Soon after Nelson’s birth, Modie Ree & Winfield Herring separated and later divorced as of August 12, 1959. Modie Ree stayed in Newburgh, where she met her 2nd husband, Charles Thomas. The man who caught her heart. This union produced the birth of her 7th and last child, Belinda Thomas. Eventually she divorced her 2nd husband. Modie & Belinda made Newburgh, NY their home. After a 10 year separation from her 1st six children, a Mother-Child Reunion was orchestrated by her eldest daughter in California. It was a moment of fulfillment for everyone. This opened the door and created a pathway for communication, This allowed her children to understand where some of their personality traits originated. The one thing that all 7 children can agree on is she loved her some Newburgh, New York. Modie was best known for being a taxi cab driver. She got to know the state of New York like the back of her hand. She loved to drive, she loved to talk and she got paid for doing so! She found a career in life that brought joy to her as well as the people she interacted with. It was July 2005, when she had a severe stroke. She went through intense rehab which allowed her to recover enough to live with assistance from a home health aide. In April 2015 she had a 2nd stroke which required placement in a rehabilitation facility again. On June 1, 2015, Belinda, had an in-depth conversation with the medical professionals who recommended she needed to be placed in long term care. Belinda proceeded to look and find a facility in VA where she resides and on June 11, 2015, she transferred from rehab/long term care in Newburgh, New York to long term rehab in Envoy in Woodbridge, VA. Everyone knew that she always desired to go back to Newburgh. So that’s where her ashes will be spreaded with a balloon release, her wishes will be granted. Her grandchildren played a big part in her happiness and well being. Daneya and Darius made sure she had all her immediate needs met, Chico, who lived in DC, and Sharifa was able to visit while on business trips and was able to see her more frequently than most living further away. Barbara, Loretta Herring and Lorene made certain her phone never stopped ringing. Everyone learned if you wanted to see a huge smile on Modie Ree’s face, bring her Popeye’s Fried Chicken! COVID-19 did interrupt this routine, but family continued to call her and scheduled zoom sessions. The last Zoom session was Wednesday, September 1st on her 85th birthday. The Family present sang “Happy Birthday” and was able to capture her in a memorable zoom photo of 5 Generations. It was eight days later when Modie Ree made her peaceful transition at Envoy Nursing Facility, with cause cited as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The legacy of Modie Ree Suggs-Herring-Thomas will be her independence as a Black Woman and her hard work ethics. Her husky raspy voice was unique, and her smile was an indicator of her good heart. Modie Ree did not have a lot, but was willing to share with family when called upon. This feisty Black woman did not like negativity or sadness, so she presented herself as a “Pillar of Light” demanding smiles and joy from everyone she encountered, leaving you with Hope! So let us all remember as such! Modie Ree Thomas made her transition from this life to join her mother, Georgia Anna Morrisey; father, Chal Boykin; brother, Tennison Morrisey; sister, Annie Morrisey, nephews Benjamin Franklin Wyche, Grover Wyche Jr., Pearl Autrey (1st cousin/sister), Cousin Eddie Boykin and many other loved ones who predeceased her. She leaves to mourn and cherish her memory: 7 children, 16 Grandchildren, *21 Great-Grandchildren, **2 Great-Great-Grandchildren, 3 Siblings with a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and others. Hattie Ree Herring, Raymond Herring, Sharifa Ife Cox-Batts (Spouse Cameron) *Sydney S. Traxler (Spouse LaFelton), **Phoenix R., **London R., *Camiya T. S. Batts (Spouse Shaheed); Khari Ajene (Spouse Asia), *Khai; Anthony Leon Cox (Spouse Jameka), *Cali, *Aniyah; Winfield Herring Jr., Winfield Herring III (spouse Jolene), *Daijah U., *Winfield Herring IV, *Josiah Demetrius H., *Katiah J.; Shunte Monique Carr (Spouse Howard), *Adara B.; Barbara Jean Logan (Spouse Reginald), *Jamila Aisha Logan, *Ulyssus M. V; Asha Shanese Stokes (spouse Sheldon), *Sanai M., *Averi N.; Loretta Faye Herring, *Maurita D. McDonald, **Khalil M., **Tamir P., *Staria L. Donaldson,**Joslynn J., **Dwan Metoyer Jr, **Kameron Antone Metoyer; Lorene Murray (spouse Kevin), Chico Murray, Antone Ladone Murray, *Jazmine S., *Salena C.; Nelson Bruce Herring (spouse Tanya), Donnele B. (spouse Angelina), *Jayce C.; Belinda Thomas Ligon (Spouse George), *Daneya S., *Darius S., Da’Neisha S. Three Siblings: Anna Lee Melvin, Minnie Bell Wyche, and Author Lee Morrisey (spouse Marion) Audrey Mae Green (1st cousin/sister). And a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Tributes

Modie Ree Thomas

September 9, 2020