Mary Lillian Thomas, known as Mamie, was born in Salem in 1870. Her parents were H. Clay and Carrie Butner Thomas.
Mamie graduated from Salem College in 1888.
She was also trained as a Red Cross nurse, and served in this capacity during World War I at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Georgia.
Following her service in World War I, she spent several years in Alaska, working as a medical missionary of Home Moravian Church.
She returned to Winston-Salem in 1932, and lived there until her death in 1950.
The photograph shows Mamie making the beeswax candles, probably for the Candle Tea, dressed in the clothing of a Moravian woman living in earlier times.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
