Tributes

Her story began somewhere far away, before time in the mind and divine plan of God, but for highlights of her earthly journey, we travel back to a day that changed this world forever for the better, Friday, June 6, 1930 in Maryland. . . The Late Rev. Joseph Henry and Mother Marie Larnell Cashen were probably not aware that the gift God sent to them would become so bright and fair. The second of four beautiful daughters she became, and with a spark in her eyes and a glow in her smile Hilda was her name. With Edith just ahead, Phyllis and Doris right behind, these four Cashen Sisters would grow in beauty and grace sublime. They were raised in the fear and admonition of The Lord, and from Pigtown to Falls Road the Cashen Sisters were greatly adored. In her youth she was educated in the public schools of Baltimore, but that was just the beginning of what God had in store. As a young adult she met the special man in her life, the smooth-talking Wallace (Junebug) Thomas and she became his precious wife. And from this union favor did abound for five is that special number where grace can be found. So as God would have it five children filled her humble nest, the rambunctious, fun-loving, Thomas Clan grew strong and they were surely blessed. Wendy was the eldest followed by Mike then Valerie to be clear, Bradley came in fourth in line while Rodney pulled up the rear. Hilda adored her children and showered them with all she had, but make no mistake about it they knew better than to make her sad. But all who knew dear Hilda would attest her children were her life and the bond she forged amongst them was filled with love and devoid of strife. But as the years progressed, she felt a longing in her soul, an emptiness she could not explain and a greater desire to be whole. This wholeness of which we speak is not of earth or man, it is the filling of empty places that can only come from The Master’s hand. Although she had always believed in walking the Christian faith, inside her grew a desire to be sanctified by God’s grace. Which brings us to 1974 a year she would never forget, the year she surrendered her all to God, a decision she would never regret. At 3400 Copley Road The Bishop Monroe Saunders, Sr. she heard preach, and the words of life that he declared the depths of her soul did reach. With her children she stepped into the water and was baptized in Jesus’ Name she was saturated with The Holy Ghost and her life was never the same. The zest and zeal she had for the Lord she could not keep within, she wanted everyone to know the love of Jesus her new very best friend. She carried this love within her breast wherever she did go, with a gentle kindness and a loving smile forever she did show. “Jesus Use Me” became her daily prayer, this love that she had discovered with everyone she would share. And on her job at SSA she lifted high His Name, while others gossiped in the break room her testimony she did proclaim. And thus, a new work began called the Bible Break Bunch, she shared with all the love of God as they would eat their lunch. Her little work began with a very small few, but shortly before you knew it more than 200 co-workers filled the room. And testimonies poured in of those whose lives were changed, households that were lost had their stories rearranged. But Hilda never wanting notoriety, spotlight or fame, her pure and honest desire was just to bring glory to His Name. So in her own community with Reverend Al Stewart and Michael Thomas her son, she launched the Way of Eternal Life Bible Study Group to share Jesus with everyone. Her ministry grew so powerful that Pastors invited her often to speak and although she never wanted titles, the gospel of Jesus Christ she would preach. And here’s a little secret that many would be surprised to know, she became an ordained evangelist in the AME Church so when called to preach she could freely go. Her license and credentials she kept quietly tucked away as tools to complete The Master’s Work, never something she would display. The Bible Break Bunch and Way of Eternal Life two of the works for God she began, but we certainly cannot forget SAK – a community outreach program she ran. “Seek Ask Knock” freely fed the hungry and gave to those in need, but before she fed them from her own pockets and kitchen, she planted the word of God and prayed over that seed. Beyond her gospel ministry she had much more work to do, so Hilda set out on a new mission to carry her journey through. Born and raised in a time when limitations were the norm, especially if you were black and female however Hilda refused to conform. So she challenged herself to launch out and begin a new career, and as a middle aged women she sought after dreams that she held dear. While working 40 plus hours a week for the good old SSA, she took the MTA bus back and forth to Coppin State to earn a degree she could display. In this she surely taught us to make our dreams come true, with God all things are possible it’s simply up to you. Her kids followed her example and from her they got their grit, and when they also went to college, she went along and another degree she did get! Thus, four college degrees in total and a certificate or two Hilda was a fiercely educated woman who stayed on the Dean’s List the entire way through. After 37 years at SSA a new career she embarked upon, she became an amazing educator touching the lives of everyone. As an elementary school teacher private or public she had to choose, and private was her choice for there she was free to share her godly views. She could teach her students about Jesus as she taught them how to read, and as she taught them math and science, she continued planting seeds. She followed on this pathway for more than twenty years and when you thought she might retire, she’d just begin a new career. She never ended her ministry of feeding the bodies and spirits of those in need, in fact she enlarged her territory by teaching adults how to read. As a community college master teacher, she mentored those all around and even on her days off, teaching in senior citizens residences she could be found. Volunteering in hospitals, helping the needy and the poor, as Mother Theresa was sent to India, God sent Hilda to Baltimore. Through it all remember her family was her everything, she taught us unconditional love, to pray, live right, and to sing. She taught us to love one another and to walk upright in The Way, and to share the love of God each and every day. She was the Proverbs 31 woman of whom we often read, and now we live her legacy as she imparted great seeds. She lived her life in such a way that The Lord Himself did smile, and so He decided to honor her and said “come away my child.” But before she left this earth, she had some parting words, she gave The Lord a thunderous praise and this farewell her family heard. She said how much she loved us from the bottom of her heart, as she headed into Glory we were blessed to see her depart. I’ll meet you all in Glory, with The Father I shall be, you better join me in Glory and His face you too shall see! Hilda Cashen Thomas was the last living member and head of the Cashen Family (bearing the family name), and one of the eldest Matriarchs of the Brewer Family. She walked in grace and extended mercy to all. She lived a life of love with the heart of a servant. She was and is royalty personified. Some called her hero, mother, grandmother, teacher, but I called her friend, and God calls her daughter! As she joins the rest of the CAHUTHOWABAS (That is another story…) She leaves to cherish her sainted memory in the earth her beloved children Wendy Price (Thaddeus), Michael Thomas, Bradley Thomas (Cissy), Valerie Dease (Luther), Rodney Thomas (Zina), her beloved stepson Cornell Thomas (Margaret), twenty-four grandchildren, forty great-grandchildren, eight great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. She is our HOODIE and we shall love her completely Forever and a Day!

Tributes

Hilda Cashen Thomas

June 6, 1930 - November 17, 2020

Obituary & Service

Flowers & Gifts

Tributes

Hilda Cashen Thomas

June 6, 1930 - November 17, 2020

Obituary & Service

Share a Memory Below

Flowers & Gifts