MONTOGOMERY, Ala.–Dexter Ave. King Memorial Baptist Church organist Althea Thomas has died. Her family reported that she died Friday at Jackson Hospital.
Thomas was hired to play organ at the church in 1955 by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and did so for more than 60 years, playing the bass pedals with shoes that she modified from tap shoes, which are now on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.
In addition to her career as organist at the church, Thomas was a noted composer and teacher.
Thomas composed musical dramas and published books on playing the piano and organ.
A concert in her honor will be performed Nov. 30, at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
