Elizabeth Mae Thomas de Lagarde

It Is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs. Elizabeth Mae Thomas de Lagarde, on October 28, 2020, in Philadelphia, PA. at the age of 102.

    Also known as Betty or Liz, she was born in Philadelphia, PA on May 17, 1918. A product of the Philadelphia, PA school system, graduating from Germantown High School in 1936, and received the Bachelor of Arts Degree from Howard University, Washington, D.C. in 1940. 

    After relocating to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands in 1951 with her husband and family, her love for education drew her to become a Social Studies Teacher, Social Studies Department Chairman, and Assistant Principal at the Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, for 31 years.

    Elizabeth was initiated into The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Chapter at Howard University in 1937. She also went on to become a member of The St. Thomas Business and Professional Women’s Club; The Friends of Denmark; The League of Women Voters; The Association of Secondary School Principals; and the Episcopal Church Women at the Cathedral Church of All Saints.

    She was preceded in death by her parents, The Rev. and Mrs. Ernest Sydnor Thomas, brothers Ernest, Jr. and Reginald, sister Regina, her husband, Henry W. de Lagarde, Sr., and her son, Henry W. de Lagarde, Jr.   

     She is survived by her children Edouard (Eddie), Ernest, Sr. (Poogie), and Jo-Ann. Daughters-in-Law Violet, Vernelle, and Brenda. Grandchildren Adrian (Sophiea), Jonathan, Jacquelynne (Clarence), Nicole (Stan), Kwanza, Khalid (Tishma), Khadija, Ernest, Jr., and Jamal. Great grandchildren Christopher, Maxwell, Sean, Alyssa, Sekani, Khadim, Myani, Nasim, Zephyra , and Jack. Nephew John E. Jones, Jr., and Niece Dr. Cynthia Jones, and other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

    A private funeral service will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 5421 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA, 19144, on November 14, 2020 at 11:00 am. Funeral Arrangements are by Campbell Family Funeral Home, Inc., 435 N. Easton Road, Glenside, PA 19038. Tributes may be sent to www.campbellfamilyfuneralhome.com

    A Memorial Service will be held at All Saints Episcopal Cathedral Church, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands at a later date, with internment in the Western Cemetery.

    In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Feeding Ministry,      

5421 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144, in remembrance of Elizabeth T. de Lagarde, or at www.stlukesgermantown.com or stlukesgermantown@gmail.com

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