Thomason, Rose Shearouse

Lucretia Rose Shearouse Thomason (1937-2001), American United Methodist layperson, was born to Herbert Samuel and Eula Mary Bennett Shearouse in Brooks County, Georgia, on March 2, 1937. She lived and worked in Georgia, Florida and in Virginia. During her career in education, she taught students from the elementary through the graduate level. Thomason earned degrees in English (B.A. 1958) and Education (M.A.T. 1973) from Emory University and the University of Florida (Ed.D. 1979). Thomason is the author of professional and other articles, poetry, fiction, and a memoir.

Thomason was an active layperson in the general, jurisdiction, annual conference and local church levels. When she volunteered to serve on the many different boards, agencies and various ministries confronting the church it was a time of great social change, especially the Women’s Movement. It is in this area that Thomason found her voice for change within the United Methodist Church. Thomason served as an officer on both the General Commission on the Status of Women (COSROW) and United Methodist Women Caucus(UMWC). Her stint at COSROW lasted from 1976-1980 where she served as vice-president, Chair of the Task Force for Women and Planning Committee and member on both the Nominating and Legislative Committees. It was during this time that Thomason developed a close, lifelong relationship with then General Secretary Nancy Grissom Self.

Thomason, with Judy Leaming-Elmer created and organized the United Methodist Women’s Caucus (UMWC) in 1971 as a result feeling frustrated at their standing as both women and clergy spouses within the denomination. As a result of their meeting and close friendship, a formidable force for women’s rights crashed upon the shores of United Methodism. By 1972, the United Methodist Women’s Caucus was organized which pushed and resulted in major role changes for women’s roles within the denomination on all levels. This was accomplished through the various levels of the United Methodist Connection which is made manifest in the legislative changes adopted by various General Conferences of this time period. As an effect of her work with COSROW and UMWC, Thomason was invited in 1978 to serve on the Board of Higher Education and Ministries’ Commission to Study the Itineracy in order to speak on the issues facing contemporary clergy wives’ concerns and frustrations dealing with the appointment process that required many moves and larger parsonage related matters.

Rose was married for forty-two years and, with her husband, the Reverend Robert Thomason. They have two sons, Mark and Bryan, and seven grandchildren. Rose Thomason died on April 8, 2001.