Sister Mary Avila Thomas (nee Mary Sedonia), daughter of the late Henry Thomas and Bertha Latiolais entered eternal life on March 30, 2014. She was 68 years old. Sister Avila entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family on September 8, 1962, professed First Vows on August 15, 1965, and Perpetual Vows on August 15 1971. During her earthly sojourn, Sr. Avila served the people of God in various cities and towns as teacher, as business manager, in pastoral care, as manager of housing, and parish Director of Religious Education. She ministered at Holy Rosary School in Galveston TX, and St. Nicholas, Houston, TX. She also served at Holy Ghost School in Marksville, LA; St. Raymond and St. Joan of Arc Schools in New Orleans, LA; Holy Family School in Lafayette. LA; and Sacred Heart and Stann Creek Ecumenical High School, both in Belize, Central America. After leaving the classroom, Sister Avila served in the business office at Lafon Nursing Facility, in pastoral care at Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Center, as manager of St. John Berchmans Manor in New Orleans, LA; and at her home parish in Opelousas, LA as office manager assistant and DRE. She was preceded in death by her brothers Harry, Nelson, and Nathan Thomas and her sisters Verna Thomas Burns and Verdia Thomas Lewis. She is survived by her sisters: Sister Clare Thomas and Antonia Thomas, five brothers: Eugene Thomas, Henry Thomas, Jr. (Emily), Lionel Thomas, Dewey Thomas (Lois), and John Michael Thomas (Dawn), two sisters-in law: Augustine Lavine Thomas, and Barbara Mouton Thomas, foster brother, Johnny Barrow, and a host of nieces and nephews. Services will take place April 3, 2014 in the Chapel of the Motherhouse of the Sisters of the Holy Family. Visitation 8:00 a.m., Wake Services 9:15 a.m., Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 a.m. All relatives, friends, and former students are invited to attend. Internment follows in St. Louis #2. MAJESTIC MORTUARY in charge of all arrangements - See more at: http://obits.nola.com/obituaries/nola/obituary.aspx?pid=170453974#sthash.dvjCbe3N.dpuf