Obituary of Davena Thomas

Evangelist/Missionary Davena Thomas was born on April 9, 1970 in Rochester, NY to Willie and Francine Robinson. She attended #6 and #44 Schools, and also attended John Marshall High School. She graduated from Marshall as an honor student in 1988, received several awards as a Black Scholar, and received a full, 4-year Kodak scholarship to Roberts Weslyan College for academic achievement. The scholarship guaranteed her a job at Kodak during her Junior and Senior years, during the summers, and after graduation. She was very involved in the PRIS2M program for science and math. Davena was a very happy child; she loved school and loved going to church at Full Gospel Tabernacle, where was one of the original "Challengers" (so named by Revivalist Charles Smith). She was challenged to dare to be different, and to honor God in her youth. She was very involved in Sunday School and the Young Adult Choir. She was currently a member of Lily of the Valley C.O.G.I.C. where she served in many capacities. In the September of 1990, Davena married Richard Benjamin while he was on leave from the Marines in Japan. He was relocated to Hawaii and she moved to Honolulu in December to join him. Her first child, Kristen was born on December 16, 1991. Davena moved back to Rochester in July of 1992 and restarted her education. She received her AS Degree in Business Administration from MCC and returned to Roberts Wesleyan to complete her BS Degree in Business Administration. She worked in office administration, banking, accounting, and legal. She worked as a Paralegal for Beckerman & Beckerman, LLP until her disability retirement in 2012. On August 2, 1995, Davena married Ricky Thomas, who had claimed her to be his bride from the time they were in the 7th grade! There were 2 children born of this union: twins, Arianna and Brianna. Davena passed on from this life on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at the age of 45 and leaves to celebrate her life: her beloved husband, Ricky, daughters, Kristen Benjamin, and Arianna and Brianna Thomas; parents Willie Robinson and Rev. Francine James; brothers Rev. William and Seneca (Tina) Robinson; sisters Yvette (Burgess) Davis, and Dedra (Ken) Scott, Lonette James; father-in-law Ricky Thomas; mother-in-law Patricia Benjamin; brother-in-law Elder Richey Jackson, Maurice Hawkins, Murray King, and Roland and Patrick Johnson; sisters-in-law Regina Thomas and LaToya Johnson; and a host aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.