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Dee T Thomas, the son of Lottie Burris and Garner Thomas was born in Guadalupe County, TX on the 3rd of December 1876. He developed an appreciation for education and property ownership from his parents who were former slaves. He was a member of the Farmers' Home Improvement Society. This organization encouraged black farmers toward economic independence through home and farm ownership, cooperative buying, cash purchases instead of credit buying and raising much of their own food. In the 1900 census, he is residing in Caldwell County, Justice Precinct No. 7 (ED 126) with his wife Lula and children Sylvester and Ada. By 1910, the family had moved to San Angelo, Tom Green County (ED 27). There are now 5 children: Sylvester, Annie Lee, Radie, Nonie, and Edna. According to this census, he worked at the schoolhouse and owned a house with no mortgage. In 1920, he is back in Caldwell County, Justice Precinct #7 (ED 63) with his wife and 9 children: Annie, Radie, Nonie, Edna, Ivry, Isaac, Curtis, Sammie D. and Sylvester. He and Lula initiated the first Fleming Homecoming in 1950 at the Sidville School. Beatrice Jones Spriggs who was the club's secretary reported that the school was overflowing. Dee T Thomas passed on the
7th of March 1963 in Tilmon, Caldwell County. His final resting place is at Fleming Cemetery
in Dale, Caldwell County, Texas. His wife Lula was born on the 22nd of February, 1873 and
passed on the 8th of July 1974.
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