Disciples Divinity House

Sybel A. Thomas, church leader, and remarkable spirit, died June 7 at her home in Chicago. She was a trustee of the Disciples Divinity House of the University of Chicago for more than fifteen years. Through the House and in many other contexts, she and her late husband Harvey, who died in December, invested significant time and attention in young people and in future leaders.

Sybel Thomas was a member of the first moderator team at the first General Assembly of the newly restructured Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and thus also the first African American and first lay woman to serve as one of the moderators. She held many other crucial leadership roles throughout the church and in community organizations over the years, including as president of the World Christian Women's Fellowship and as an Elder of Park Manor Christian Church in Chicago.

Sybel and Harvey Thomas shared 62 years of marriage. They are survived by their son Craig and by grandchildren; another son, Harvay Jr., preceded them in death. The memorial service has been set for Friday, June 24, at Park Manor Christian Church in Chicago. The service will start at 6:30 pm with the wake at 5:30 pm.