Vivian G. Thomas was born Vivian Pearline Gaston on February 22, 1931, in Philadelphia, to the late Walker Lee and Frances Gaston. She has one daughter Barbara Gaston. On May 26, 1980 Vivian married the late Oscar B. Thomas, in this union she blended her family gained three step-children: Barbra J. Hopson, Silvia Maven, and Allen Thomas.
In 1940 Vivian was baptized at Cana Galilee Baptist church, in 1941 she moved her membership to Tasker Street Baptist church where she served until 1968. After moving to New Jersey, in 1969, she joined New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, where she served as a member of the Bible Training Union, the Usher Board, the Senior Choir, Financial Secretary of the church, secretary of the Trustee Board and Missionary Society, and a member of the original Emergency Choir. Vivian later became the church clerk.
In 1950 Vivian began her 41 years and 7 months of government service. She worked for the Bureau of Commerce as a Key Punch Operator/Verifier. In 1951 she began working for the Veterans Administration as a Clerk-Typist, A Premium Review Clerk, and a Correspondence Clerk. In 1954 Vivian began working with the Department of Defense as a Clerk Typist for the Philadelphia Detachment Signal Corps where she excelled through the ranks, eventually becoming Supervisor of the Preparation and Typing Unit. In 1968 she accepted a position as the Supervisor/Officer Manager of the Personnel Office at Ancora State Hospital and remained there until she was offered a position at the NAFEC, Pomona, (now known as the Technical Center) as a Clerk Typist.
Vivian’s accomplishments (affiliations?) are as follows:
• Charter member of the Federal Women’s Program (FEW)
• Member of the Black Coalition Committee
• 2nd Vice President of the Mizpah Branch of the NAACP
• Secretary of the West End Democratic Club
• Served on the Township of Hamilton Zoning Board
• A member and former officer of WEMCO Seniors
Vivian G. Thomas was wonderfully blessed and always expressed to others that God can do anything, from opening doors that we cannot see, to carrying us up ladders of happiness and success. The influence of God brightened everyday of her life which made her the light that shined through any darkness.
Vivian leaves to cherish her memory one daughter: Barbara Anne Gaston of Mays Landing, two grand-daughters: Myra of Birdsboro PA, and Teresa of Philadelphia PA, four great-grand children: Taylor, Kinaya, Morghan and Cole, two Aunts: Sara of Florida and Mable of Yeadon PA and a host of extended family and friends.