Ms. Mattie Lee Perkins Thomas, daughter of the late Frank and Florence Pekins was born January 12, 1943 in Leland, MS.  At an early age she professed her faith in Jesus Christ.  Mattie was an active and committed member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church where she faithfully served her church community and ushered God's people into praise and worship, ministering through song.

Mattie spent her life of servitude as a nurse for over 50 years caring for the sick and shut in even up until she fell ill.  She truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures, trending the latest fashions, spending time chatting & laughing with friends and family, cooking, and banking family favorites, and discovering great finds through thrifting.  Mattie never met a stranger and had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way, by use of scripture and being led by the Holy Spirit.

Mattie was the last living sibling of thirteen and though she was a Mother to many, her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children:  Betty (Melvin) Stokes (Greenville, MS), Mary (Cleven) Smith (Greenville, MS), Johnnie Mae Redmon (Minneapolis, MN), James Sanders (Minneapolis, MN), Walter Ervin (Greenville, MS), Victor Ervin (Minneapolis, MN), Patrick (Teresa) Ervin (Greenville, MS); 17 grandchildren, 30 great grands, (Mrs. Willie B. Brown (Caregiver/Close Friend), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.