Ernest Emanuel Thomas

Mr. Ernest Emanuel Thomas, 84, of Fort Worth, Texas (formerly of North Carolina) entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, April 10, 2023.

Rev. Ernest Emanuel Thomas was the thirteenth of sixteen children born to the late John Foster Thomas, II & Katie Prince Gales-Thomas on 30 April 1938 in Raeford, NC. He matriculated through the schools in Hoke County, graduating in 1956 from Upchurch High School. 

Rev. Thomas gave his life to Christ at an early age and was baptized and raised at McLaughlin Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Raeford, NC. In 1957, he married his childhood sweetheart, Maggie Lloyd. He then built his own house, with his own hands, on his own land in Jackson Hamlet, NC and was so proud when he and his family rnoved in.  To this union were born six children.

Rev. Thomas was a farmer, fisherman, hunter, carpenter, plumber, electrician, painter, and he loved to cook; his Chop Barbecue was legendary! He worked in the kitchen of Moore County Hospital. And in 1964 Reverend Thomas and his family joined The Great Migration and relocated north to Paterson, NJ; where he attended trade school, learned to be an auto mechanic, and worked for Nadler Chevrolet in Ridgewood, NJ for more than twenty-five years. He also worked far Lynn Chevrolet in Kearney and Hawthorne Chevrolet, from which he retired. He then began a second career as a bus driver and trainer for Laidlaw Bus Company. He also drove Coach Buses, thoroughly enjoying the many trips to Atlantic City.

Rev. Thomas Served The LORD at First A.M.E. Zion Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Louis M. Richardson.  Rev. Thomas founded and pastored Westside Community A.M.E. Zion Church in Paterson, NJ and he also pastored Mt. Olive A.M.E. Zion Church in Newark, NJ where his skills as a carpenter, plumber, electrician, and painter were put to good use. Rev. Thomas later returned and served at First Church under the Leadership of Rev. Dr. Douglas L. Maven. Upon relocating to Texas, he united with the West Mount Moriah Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. W.L.D. Campbell, Pastor.

Rev. Ernest Emanuel Thomas was preceded in death by three of his six children; James Cleveland Lloyd and Sheila Regina Thomas; who both died as infants, and Carolyn Angela Thomas-Watkins, his parents, his brothers, Paul, Alexander, James Wilbert, Charlie and John F. Thomas, III; sisters, Estella Thomas-McNair, Dorothy Thomas-McIntyre, Emma Thomas-Love, Ruby Thomas-Glover, Lessie Thomas-Grubbs, Bessie Thomas-Williams, and Thelma, Sara, Mary, and Martha Thomas. 

He leaves to cherish his memory, this wife Maggie, daughter Cynthia and her husband Douglas Thomas of Paterson, and two sons, Deacon Ernest E. E. Thomas, I and his wife Janet of Ft. Worth, Texas, and The Rev. Dr. Garrett M. Thomas and his wife Dawn of Somerville, NJ; twelve grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren, along with a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives, church family, and friends.

Please keep the family and friends of Mr. Ernest Emanuel Thomas in your thoughts and prayers. 

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Arrangements are entrusted to McLeod Funeral Home of Southern Pines, North Carolina.

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