Little Rock Nine Member Dies

ATLANTA - A member of the Little Rock Nine has died.

Jefferson Thomas had a critical role in the Civil Rights movement, along with eight other students in 1957.

Former President Clinton issued a statement calling Thomas "a true hero, a fine public servant and a profoundly good man."

Jefferson Thomas, 67, known as Jeff to his family, passed away from cancer -- 53-years after he was part of what's known as the little rock nine.

"I don't know how he did it- but he was able to take abuse from other people and not fight back," said Thomas's sister Jessie Agee.

Thomas was among nine black students to integrate a Little Rock's Central High School in 1957 after a major battle over school segregation. The governor tried to block their entrance using the National Guard until President Dwight Eisenhower ordered soldiers to escort the students to class. His sisters, who are visiting in Atlanta, recall that time vividly.

"To get home from school, when the guards would let them go home by themselves, he was protected on the school grounds. But he would use his track ability. He wasn't able to use it at Central High so he used it to get home -- he was a fast runner," said Thomas's sister Alma Hildreth.

His family says he spoke to kids about the importance of education. He retired from the Department of Defense where he worked in accounting.

Thomas died in Columbus, Ohio of pancreatic cancer.

He and the rest of the Little Rock Nine received congressional gold medals shortly after the 40th anniversary of their enrollment.