TN HJR1029

Honors Deborah Manning Thomas, a Memphis native and distinguished gospel vocalist who began singing at age six at Golden Leaf Missionary Baptist Church

Recognizes her performance at the historic 1972 Wattstax concert in Los Angeles, her mentorship under Isaac Hayes, and recordings with STAX artists

Acknowledges her theater and film career, including portraying Mahalia Jackson for three seasons at Hattiloo Theatre and appearing in The Firm and Hustle and Flow

Notes her service as two-term president of the music department within the Tennessee Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention and her 25 years with the Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk's Office

Commends her recorded works including Blest Be the Tie (1992), "Shout Now" (COVID-19 pandemic), and "My Trust in You" (2025)