Assistant Pastor Tannica Shatell Hawkins Thomas of Kathleen, Georgia, formerly of Americus, Georgia, died on Monday, January 26, 2026, at her residence.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary of the Central Baptist Church in Americus, Georgia.  The burial will follow at Staley Memorial Garden in Americus, Georgia.

Born on June 16, 1981, in Americus, Georgia, Tannica Shatell Hawkins Thomas was welcomed to this world by her parents, Robert Hawkins and Ozie Mae Mercer. Her life was a journey of faith and love.

Tannica was a proud graduate of Sumter County Comprehensive High School, class of 2000. Her pursuit of knowledge led her to Georgia Southwestern State University, where she graduated in 2008 with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and later to Troy State University, where she earned her Master of Science in Education in 2023. Her passion for her faith was evident in her active involvement with the Perfecting Faith Life Center in Warner Robins, Georgia, where she was ordained into ministry and went on to serve as the Assistant    Pastor of the church. She was also a dedicated member of Count Your Blessing (CYB) and the FPLC Saints.

Tannica was a beacon of faith and resilience, pressing on even in the midst of obstacles, she never waivered. As she journeyed, she encouraged others along the way.

Assistant Pastor Tannica Shatell Hawkins Thomas, a devoted  woman of God, who went from labor to reward on Monday, January 26, 2026. She is preceded in death by her beloved mother, Ozie Mae Mercer; her grandparents, Eldridge Mercer, Sr., Sarah Louise Mercer, and Johnny Lee Hawkins, Sr.; and her aunt and  uncle,  Helen Mercer and Edward Mercer.

Her life was a testament to faith and perseverance, and her memory will continue to inspire all who knew her.  She leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories with her adored and cherished children, NaShayla Thomas and her special friend, Cormeshia Ogburn, Shantrelle Thomas, and ShaZiyah Thomas, of Warner Robins, Georgia; her loving and caring father, Robert  Hawkins (Jacqueline) of Americus, Georgia; her beloved and cherished mother, Edna Mercer of Leslie, Georgia; her loving sisters, Tashika Laramore of Americus, Georgia, LaJasmine Wilkerson (Cameron) of Grovetown, Georgia, Angela Luster (Joshalynn) of Albany, Georgia, LaKietha Preston of Leesburg, Georgia; Mary Hawkins (Garry) of Americus, Georgia and Tiffany Willis (Edwin) of Atlanta, Georgia; her caring brother, Corey Wright (Daphne) of Doha, Qatar; her grandmother, Meland Holt Hawkins of Americus, Georgia; her maternal aunts and uncles Hattie Ruth Rivers (Charles) of Leesburg, Georgia, Eldridge Mercer, Jr. (Ernestine) of Americus, Georgia, Ida Mae Mercer, Willie Jo Mercer, and Freddy Mercer (Diane) of Leslie, Georgia, Sammy Mercer, Lewis Mercer, and Constance Bryant (Dennis) of Americus, Georgia; her paternal aunts and uncles, Johnny Hawkins (Nancy) of Leslie, Georgia, Buster Hawkins, Solomon Holt (Jeanette), Frankie M. Hawkins, Annie R. Griffin, Leon Hawkins (Keli), and Carolyn Hurley (John) of Americus, Georgia, Lizzie H. Spencer (Willie) of Macon, Georgia, and William Hawkins (Carlon) and Izelle Hawkins (Tripolitania) of Vienna, Georgia; her  great aunt, Bertha Mae Hawkins Floyd of Americus, Georgia; her nieces, nephews, a host of cousins, other relatives, and many  sorrowing friends.