Mother Henrice Predetha Thomas Berrien

IN REMEMBRANCE OF

“I have fought the good fight.  I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV

Henrice Predetha Thomas Berrien was gifted to us on January 23, 1934, to the late Henry Clifford Thomas and Eunice Predetha Whatley Thomas in Rome, Georgia where she grew up in a Christian household.  She was the first born of five children-Julia Nious, Evelyn Colston, Clifford Thomas and Mary Joanita Thomas, who all preceded her in death.

She attended Thankful Missionary Baptist Church from birth.  Henrice joined Thankful at the early age of 11 and was baptized by Reverend Frank L. Sanders.  From that point, she became an active member in the church and never turned back.  She cherished co-teaching the Junior Girls Sunday School Class with Ms. Delois Clay.  She also loved being the Directress of Vacation Bible School for many years and the Christian Education Ministry, along with being the leader of the Red Girls Circle, Youth Church and the Mission Ministry.  Henrice faithfully served as the first female Sunday School Superintendent for 10 years.  Other ministries that she served in were as follows: Deacon’s Wives & Mother’s Ministry, Evangelism Ministry, Pastoral Ministry, Predetha Thomas Women’s Fellowship, A.M. Bible Study, Social Services Community Kitchen Ministry, Church Nursery, Senior Ministry, Maggie Shepherd Circle, O.B. Yates Chancel Choir and the Sanctuary Choir.  Henrice was the financial secretary for 4 years and she had a “personal ministry” of making sure everyone received a DAILY BREAD, even if she had to mail it to you.  She loved calling the sick and shut members to see how they were doing and to ask them if they wanted to receive communion on the Saturday before first Sundays.

Her formative years of education began at North Rome Elementary and concluded at Rome Colored High School (Main High School), where she graduated at the age of 16 after completing her 11th grade year.  She continued her education at Savannah State College where she received a Bachelor of Science degree.  While attending Savannah State, Henrice was involved in the Savannah State College Choral Society, Glee Club and the marching band, where she played the alto-saxophone, and was the only female in the saxophone section until her senior year.  In 1952, she was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and in 1953 she was crowned Miss Savannah State College.  Upon graduating from Savannah State, she began her teaching career (first at a technical adult school, then in the public school system).  Always ambitious and possessing a thirst for knowledge, she pursued additional studies at the University of Chicago, Shorter College, Berry, Atlanta University and Tuskegee University.

Henrice’s professional career began at Battey State Hospital Technical Adult School in 1954 as a sewing and nutrition instructor.  Throughout the rest of her career, she also taught at Graham Street Elementary, Main Junior High, Elm Street Elementary and North Heights Elementary, where she retired in 1996 after a total of 37 years in education.  She loved challenging her students to be the best they could be through using real-life examples.  She stressed the importance of students taking pride in themselves and all that they do.  She would always say, “I don’t teach reading, writing and arithmetic. I teach students.”  Therefore, she saw each student as an individual with individual needs, and she did all she could do to meet those needs.

Henrice was a member of the local and national Democratic Party, as well as several civic organizations such as: NAACP, Rome/Floyd County Commission on Children & Youth, Floyd County Habitat for Humanity, MLK, Jr. Commission, Red Cross, Mentor, Voter Registration, working at the polls, African-American Historical Society, Relay for Life, making calls for political candidates and her community service spanned the arenas of the arts, music and literature.  In addition to the many services she rendered to the community, she also rendered hundreds of volunteer hours to the Rome Girls Club where she taught cooking and sewing classes, conducted numerous workshops and served as the drama instructor for the Girls Club Christmas plays on Channel 9 Television for many years. As a result of her dedicated commitment to the Rome community, she was nominated for “The Heart of the Community” award in 2009.

On May 27, 1967, Henrice, along with 14 other phenomenal and like-minded ladies chartered Theta Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated for ladies living in the Rome, Rockmart and Cedartown areas, later adding Carrollton, Georgia.  Since its chartering, she has been committed to showcasing Theta Omicron Omega to the Northwest Georgia communities through the numerous community service programs implemented.  She served as: President (twice), Assistant President (twice), Secretary (three times), Assistant Secretary (twice), Chairman of Communications, Hostess, Ivy Leaf Reporter (twice), Historian, Parliamentarian, Sergeant at Arms, and Chaplain (three times). She led the chapter in implementing a mentoring program for young ladies in middle and high schools, a summer academic camp for elementary to high school students and a Family Math and Reading Program.  She was an advisor for the Rites-of-Passage Training Program for Girls (Ages 10-13). She tutored students in an after-school tutorial program, helped students at Rome Housing Authority’s GED program, partnered with Thankful Baptist Church to implement a Bone Marrow Drive, assisted in implementing a Scholarship Cotillion for high school students and much more.  She has passionately served for 73 years and became a Life Member of the sorority.

Henrice was formerly married to Joel Berrien, Sr.  To this union two children were born, Charlayne P. Berrien and Joel Berrien, Jr.  Her legacy of love and service lives on through the lives of her children, Charlayne Berrien- Lawrenceville, Georgia, Joel Berrien, Jr. (Tasha) - St. George, Utah; grandchildren, Charnice Oliver -Norcross, Georgia, Christa Oliver-Atlanta, Georgia, Jaylon Berrien (Riley) – Copperas Cove, Texas, Christian Berrien – Meridianville, Alabama; great-grandchildren, Paris Kitchens – Norcross, Georgia, Skylar Watters (loved like a great-grandchild) – Atlanta, Georgia, Christopher Watters – Atlanta, Georgia, Dallas Berrien – Copperas Cove, Texas.  Her life will continue to be celebrated while her memories will eternally be cherished.

The Homegoing Service for Ms. Berrien will be Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 12 Noon at Thankful Baptist Church. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 29, 2025 from 4 PM - 7PM at Thankful Baptist Church. The Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony will begin at 6 PM and is open to the public. Final resting place will be Eastview Cemetery.

Live streaming will be provided by Thankful Baptist Church.

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