Talitha A. Thomas
CFSP CFSGM
Talitha A. Thomas made Greenville, South Carolina her home in 1988 upon taking a position as an Apprentice Funeral Director and Embalmer with Watkins Garrett Woods Mortuary. She had attended Notre Dame Women’s College in Mayfield Ohio and later received an Associate of Science Degree from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta, Georgia.
Talitha was the first African American in South Carolina to achieve the status of CFSP and received the title of Ambassador of the Academy of Professional Funeral Services Practice.
She has served the South Carolina Morticians Association (SCMA) as a past District IV Assistant Secretary under the late Dr. Anne G. Pinson, the first female with a dual license to serve as District IV Governor and past State Recording Secretary of SCMA.
It was a crucial time in the national organization when young adults between the ages of 13-19 were too old to remain in the children's program. Past National President Clarence E. H. Glover appointed Talitha to serve as the program developer and assistant in moving the vision of the National Association of Young Entrepreneurs (NAYE) which became an official committee of NFDMA, Inc., where she now serves as chairperson emeritus. Talitha also served three National District III Governors as secretary and program coordinator.
Talitha was appointed by the late Past National President Charles L. Harrison, Sr., to serve on the President’s Advisory Council. She was selected to serve as his Executive Administrative Assistant and program chair for the first President’s Symposium. Her administrative skills have allowed her to serve several National Presidents of NFDMA Inc., working on various special projects and programs. In 2004 and 2005 she received the Samuel S. Gaines Award.
It was from 2004-2011 Talitha received several invitations to attend meetings with past National Presidents Ernest C. Adams Jr., and Hall L. Davis IV it was during those meetings that the General Managers Academy seed was planted. She was given the task of developing a draft proposal to include the course curriculum. Now, the rest is history.
Talitha serves as a board member and secretary of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Mortuary Scholarship Fund, Inc. (The Foundations). 2015 SCMA presented her with the State Professional of the Year Award, and 2016 The Robert H. Miller Professional of the Year Award. She is a founding member of the PI Chapter of Epsilon Nu Delta, and the founding member of Alpha Omicron Chapter of END. Also, a member and secretary of the Birdies. She is a member of Bibleway Full Gospel Missionary Baptist Church. At this writing, she is working on her bucket list and realizing peace and being free doing a little here and there is HIS plan for the 69 years of age in her. She is the proud mother of one daughter, K’daya Lynn Brantley, an adopted son, Kashawn (Joseph) Thomas Jackson, and Little Daddy Thomas, and the proud grandmother of N’osaj Nasir-Talique, Brantleigh Amaya, and Angel Faith.