Debbie Thomas

Debbie Renea (Bell) Thomas was born March 3, 1966 in Levelland, Texas to Carol Ann Robinson and David Lee Jones. She later resided in Odessa, Texas where she grew up and established her life.
Debbie went to school and graduated from Permian High School in 1984. She earned her certificate in cosmetology as well, but she later found her calling working with special needs children at the E.C.I.S.D. Transportation Center. In working as a school bus driver with E.C.I.S.D., Debbie formed great and long lasting relationships with her students, their parents and the individuals that she worked with. She dedicated herself to her work and her students. Debbie was a school bus driver for 26 years.
Later in life, Debbie pursued her Associates Degree from Odessa College in Applied Science Occupational Safety & Health Technology. Her family was overwhelmingly proud of her when she earned her degree on December 9, 2011. She continued working with E.C.I.S.D. up to the day of her passing.
Debbie went with God on March 20, 2017 in Odessa, Texas. She was 51 years old.
Debbie was a loving and devoted daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, mother and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents and her grandmother, Ora Lee Bell. Among those left to cherish her loving memory are her children, Ashazli Bell-Akilo (and her husband Oluremi Akilo), Ashauna Bell, and Antoine Richardson, all of Odessa, TX; her grandfather, Charlie Bell Sr. and her aunt, Alice Sue Ward of Odessa, TX; her sisters, Sabrina Jackson of Odessa, TX, Michelle Jones of Loving, NM and Vontreece Hall of Odessa, TX; her uncles, Jonell Bell of San Antonio, TX and Charlie Bell Jr. (and his wife Debra Bell) of Odessa, TX.
Debbie is survived by her granddaughter Madeny Akilo and her nieces and nephews, Nastassaja Majors, Shatori Jones, Precious Majors, Trevon Jones, Sariaha and Demetrius Cooper of Odessa, TX; Aaliya and Aalicia Jones of Loving, NM and many other great aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services to celebrate Debbie's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday April 1, 2017 at St. James Missionary Baptist Church 2212 E 11th St, Odessa, TX 79761 with Rev. Arvin Medlock officiating. Pallbearers will be Jonell Bell, Charlie Bell Jr., Christopher Bell, Alvin Earl Murray, Mike Rose, Demetrius Cooper and Todd Swoopes. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.
Services are entrusted to Martinez Funeral Home and Crematory.

Visitation

Visitation

Martinez Funeral Home Chapel
1040 S. Dixie Blvd
Odessa, TX  79761
Friday, March 31, 2017
1pm -9pm

Service

Celebration of Life

St. James Missionary Baptist Church
2212 E. 11th St.
Odessa, TX  79761
Saturday, April 1, 2017
10am

Cemetery

Ector County
300 S. Dixie
Odessa, TX  79761