Mary Lewis Hobson, lovingly known as Dot, was born on October 9, 1927 in Greensboro, Alabama to the late Stacy and Gena Hobson. She was the eldest of two children. During her childhood, Mary (Dot) and her younger brother O.C. moved to Bessemer, Alabama and were raised by their mother and grandmother, affectionately known as Ma.

In May of 1945, at the young age of 17, Mary (Dot) graduated from Dunbar High School and shortly thereafter relocated to Akron, Ohio with her mother and stepfather, Tom Dunning.
After the death of her mother, Tom remained a significant part of Dot’s life until his death. After several years of courtship, Robert T. Thomas (Tut) proposed to Mary (Dot) and they were married on August 29,1953. To this union, three children were born; Karen Loretta, Dale, and Gary (death 1997). Robert and Mary (Dot) were married for 51 years until his death (May 2005).

Mary (Dot) was introduced to the Robert Street Church of God, now known as the Arlington Church of God by neighbor and friend, Sister Dorothy Miles (deceased). Shortly thereafter, she
accepted Christ as her personal Savior on March 31, 1961 and was baptized by Pastor Robert L Fowler. As a faithful member for over 60 years, Mary’s greatest joy was serving proudly on the Usher Board until declining health issues prevented her from attending Sunday morning services. To ensure that she could continue viewing the service from the comfort of her home, step by step instructions to watch the Sunday morning service on YouTube were written by her
granddaughter Kristina. Mary (Dot) was employed as a bank teller by Goodyear Bank, now known as PNC Bank, for 17 years. She retired in 1989. Prior to entering the workforce, she was a stay-at-home mom and very active as a member of the Lane School Elementary PTA.

Mary (Dot) possessed a multitude of talents and abilities. She enjoyed reading, teaching herself how to sew and crochet and cooking. Everyone loved her sweet potato pie and German chocolate cake. Additionally, Dot enjoyed watching her favorite television shows such as Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Morning Joe and “all things” MSNBC. She loved being challenged by
putting 1,000-piece puzzles together and solving the Akron Beacon Journal word puzzles.

Mary (Dot) was preceded in death by her father, Stacey Hobson as well as her mother and step father, Gena and Tom Dunning; her husband, Robert (Tut); son, Gary Thomas; brother, O.C.
(Thelma) Hobson; nephew Jeffrey Scott Hobson; dearest friend, Tarlene Maxwell; and cousin, Jackie Thompson of Bessmer, Ala. Mary (Dot) leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter, Karen
Loretta McKinnie; son, Dale (Cedriee)Thomas; granddaughters, Quianna Rodriquez, Candace (Cambron) Jones, Dr. Danielle Thomas and Kristina McKinnie; great-grandchildren, Jayla, Jayson and Dario Rodriquez and Camden Jones; stepson, Bobby Culver and children (Bobby II, Tamika (Garrett) and Jason; step- daughter, Carol Cheatham and children (Deborah (Terry), Anthony, Damon (Kim), Danita (Timothy), Winifred (deceased).