Ella-Mae Thomas was born in Bartow, Georgia on April 30, 1926 to Effie and Freddie Lee. She was the middle of three children and moved to Milwaukee Wisconsin at the age of nine in 1935. She obtained her primary and secondary education in Milwaukee as well as completing several professional development courses.

Ella-Mae started her working career at a leather tannery and then moved on to work several jobs in the field of bookkeeping and accounting. She also co-owned the family tavern named The LLIJ. She had named the tavern after her daughter Jill, but spelled backwards. She managed the tavern until her retirement in 2002.

Ella-Mae married her husband Aguinaldo (Aggie) Thomas on May 9th 1948 and recently celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary.

Ella-Mae loved life and had a passion for shopping, playing the harmonica, traveling and even visiting the Potawatomi Casino. She was also a member of the Eastern Star for many years. In November of 2020 Ella and Aggie moved from Milwaukee to Stuart, Florida so that they could spend some quality time and be cared for by their devoted daughter Jill and son-in-law Tom. Ella-Mae spent her final years as active as possible. She would go shopping and to restaurants, get her nails done and would  spend girl's day out with her little Petunia and friends. She would even get a chance to make visits to the Hard Rock Casino once in a while. Ella-Mae truly loved being outdoors. She would sit in the backyard for hours every day while enjoying her coffee and watching the birds that would come by to visit her.

Ella-Mae was preceded in death by her father: Freddie Lee; mother Effie Lee; and sisters; Elanora Turner and Freddie-Mae Stott's. She leaves to cherish her memory: her loving husband; Aguinaldo (Aggie) Thomas and her Daughter Jill Thomas-Connors, whom she dearly loved and always called her little Petunia. As well as Jill's husband: Tom Connors; whom she always called her (Buddy) and her Grandchild Candice Connors-Sow and her husband Amadou Sow.She also leaves behind a host of loving family, and friends to include: brother in-law Robert (Delane) Brame and Jacqueline Marsh (MKE); sisters in-law Georgia Cross (MKE); and Betty Brame (MKE); Nieces, Deborah (Danny) Flowers (MKE); and Sheryl Ann Stotts (MKE); Nephew, Maurice Turner (Houston, TX), and Ella-Mae's faithful childhood friend; Irma Henry, who she always looked forward to receiving cards and well wishes.

She leaves behind her loving extended family as well. The entire Connors' family to include: Tom's siblings; Alice, and Patrick and sister in-laws; Peggy and Gerri and dearest friends Irma and Ruben Colon.

Special thanks to Debbie and Jada, two dedicated individuals who assisted in the care of both Ella and Aggie during the past year. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a small donation in Ella-Mae's name to a charity of your choice.

A Committal Service will take place for Ella-Mae on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 1:00 P.M. at St. Adalbert Cemetery Chapel, 3801 South 6th Street. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Please meet directly inside the cemetery entrance at 12:45 P.M.