Desc: A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story: Directed by John Patterson. With Alfre Woodard, A.J. Johnson, Leon, Garland Spencer. Mary Thomas is a single mother with nine children in a rough Chicago neighborhood. She struggles through poverty, resisting gangsters, violence and drugs while battling an indifferent city bureaucracy. Her children thrive under her protection, despite the dangers and temptations of their neighborhood. Mary's youngest son, Isiah Thomas, grows up to be one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA, leading the Detroit Pistons to two championships.