Community service was a way of life for Glancy.  Her volunteerism resume is as long as her professional work history.  The theme:  youth of color and those less fortunate.  She even works these altruistic themes into her business philosophy and career(s).  When she first moved to the Wilmington area, she took on a major PTA fundraising project at Noble School, with the full support of a local well-known doctor at the time -- and it was the most successful fundraiser they’d had.  Always an active and involved school parent, she taught her daughters about work ethic, civic involvement, leadership, and cultivating empathy for others -- all values instilled in her by her mother, Bessie.  She continued these efforts by joining the local chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.  During her tenure as president, she secured a grant through the Jack & Jill foundation in conjunction with the Meals on Wheels program to develop a volunteer service project utilizing the chapter’s youth – which is their signature volunteer project to this day.  

 

She sought opportunities to expose members and others in the community to novel experiences outside of the local area.  Even though membership typically concludes when the last child turns 18, she decided to stay on as chair of the associate members committee in order to be of service to and guide new and younger members of the local chapter - eventually becoming  a life member.  Glancy also co-chaired the annual community-wide Kwanzaa celebrations, coordinating with local schools to introduce Kwanzaa as part of the multi-cultural curriculum – and it became another time-honored tradition that is still being celebrated in Wilmington.  

 

She continued working in the cosmetology profession as owner of Hair Masters Beauty Salon, served as vice president of the Millie B. Richard Beautician’s Chapter #10, and has also taught at the community college level after receiving her BA degree (graduating summa cum laude) in Behavioral Sciences through the Shaw University CAPE program in Wilmington, NC.  As an avid child advocate, she also served as a Guardian Ad Litem for the 5th Judicial District and as a Juvenile Restitution Case Worker for the Child Advocacy Commission.  Her commitment to youth and young adults continued in her involvement with the local Community Boys & Girls Club, in addition to the local chapter of the NAACP --receiving "Mother of the Year” award for her mentorship of the UNCW chapter. 

 

After more than 30 years, she returned to the real estate profession as an agent and broker at Bernard and Associates Realty.  She obtained certification as a Military Relocation Professional and Affordable Housing Counselor, while also serving on the affordable housing committee for the Wilmington Regional Association of REALTORS®.   Because she is passionate about the issue of affordable housing, she (in partnership with her husband) own and operate apartments in the downtown area.  It is their business model to offer these apartments at below market value and to work with their tenants to a greater extent than the majority of property managers in this area.

 

They have both served the local community in a variety of functions…even as a “celebrity escort” for the Azalea Festival Committee and working with Habitat for Humanity.  She was also politically involved by supporting candidates through various volunteer opportunities.  Most recently, she served as the chair for the Commission on African American History for the City of Wilmington.  Her tenacity and visibility as a long-time business owner, volunteer, and hard worker helped her to secure this position.  She has always sought opportunities to educate the local community on Wilmington’s rich history as it relates to African Americans, and has done so in the unveiling of the 1898 commemorative structure in downtown Wilmington and Orange Street landing.  

 

She loved the AME Zion church and was a member of Mt. Pleasant of Montgomery, AL; St. Mark of Durham, NC; and St. Luke of Wilmington, NC.   Glancy did not make friends, she made family.  She will be greatly missed and forever loved by all.

Glancy Price Thomas completed her transition from this life to eternal peace on July 25, 2014 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center in Wilmington, North Carolina.  She is preceded in death by her brother, Thomas “Skeet” Price, sisters Bertha “Tut” Jones (Thrasher) and Catherine “Cat” Price, niece Lorraine Price, and nephew Felipe Price.  

 

Legacy of Love

 

Those that are left to cherish colorful memories are her husband, Robert A. Thomas of Wilmington, NC; daughters Tonja Thomas-Goldring of Clinton, MD and Tasha B. Thomas of Wilmington, NC; and her beloved grandson Ruben C. Gallashaw of Wilmington, NC.  Also those left surviving are her brothers Alfred “Son” Price, Jr (Mavis) and the Honorable Charles Price (Bernice), both of Montgomery, AL;  sisters-in-law Patricia T. Brown, Delores T. King, and Francene T. Bell, all of Wilmington, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, classmates, colleagues, pinochle partners, close family friends and special “Angels of Mercy”:  Alease Riley and Dorothy Harrington, both of Durham, NC; Delores Pratt of Forestville, MD; Penelope Spicer-Sidbury, Bertha Henry, Faye and Henry Jacobs, all of Wilmington, NC; Charlene Philips of Boston, MA; Annisteen Grady of Castle Hayne, NC; Charles and Ann W. Garrett of Whiteville, NC, and Carolyn Soders of Leland, NC.