On December 25, 2013, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ sent a host of angels to bring His faithful servant, Oliver Thomas, Sr., home to be with Him. This prepared place was intended to give him eternal rest from his earthly labor. The son of the late Deacon John Thomas and the late Edna Thomas, he was born on Mary 3, 1931 in Columbia, South Carolina.

He was educated in the public school system of Richland County, graduating from the historic Booker T. Washington High School, Class of 1949. He was trained in the craft and skills of brick masonry and pursued a life career as a professional brick mason in South Carolina, Virginia and New York.

Being guided in a home of strong Christian values and faith, Oliver Thomas, Sr. accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior when he was thirteen years old. He was baptized and joined the family church, Gill Creek Baptist Church of Columbia. He grew up in this church and matured in his faith while attending Sunday School, singing in the choir, and serving on several church auxiliaries. All this was done with the single purpose of developing and living an intimate, personal relationship with God. He loved the Lord wholeheartedly.

Oliver Thomas, Sr. was inducted into the United States Air Force, and while in the service, he advanced to perform in the distinguished Air Force Honor Guard. At the time, the Air Force was going through racial transition, and he was numbered among the very few African Americans selected to serve in this elite military unit.

Throughout his military service, Oliver Thomas, Sr. served his country honorably and with great pride.

As a young man, Oliver Sr. continued his worked as a skilled and dedicated brick mason. After a few years, he left Columbia and relocated to Norfolk, Virginia. Later, he moved to New York City where he met and married the former Miss Ruby Taylor, the sweetheart and love of his life. For more than fifty years, he and his devoted wife lived a life dedicated to serving God, helping others, and working professionally to support and sustain their family. To their union, God blessed them with a daughter, Valeri of California, and a son, Oliver Jr. of New York.

In 1959, while in New York City, Oliver Sr. joined the Canaan Baptist Church of Christ where Ruby was already a member and where they served faithfully for nearly forty years. Under the distinguished pastoral leadership of the late Reverend E.M. Moore and the Reverend Dr. Wyatt T. Walker, Oliver Sr. and Ruby found their place of worship and Service

At Canaan, Oliver Sr. was active in the Male Chorus, the Mass Choir and Sunday School. Believing that he could make a positive difference in the life of his church, Oliver Sr. used his God-given gifts to spiritually enrich the lives of others in both the church and community. He understood, along with his wife, that the true work of the church must extend beyond the walls of the building. The real mission of his faith was exercised in the surrounding neighborhoods. His Christian faith was about doing. Thus he realized personal fulfillment and satisfaction in his faith journey, whether in Virginia, New York or South Carolina. In fact, everywhere he traveled, Oliver lived his Christian faith an encourager to other people.

Most of all, Oliver Thomas, Sr. was a family man — a Christian father, husband and mentor. He believed in the value of education, at all levels. And he endeavored to instill these important values in his family, including his extended family and friends. And having a strong worth ethic, he worked as a first-class brick mason for more than forty years.
After many years in the Bronx, New York, Oliver Thomas, Sr. retired in 1994, and he and his wife, Ruby, returned to South Carolina, residing in Columbia.

Upon their return to South Carolina, Oliver reunited his membership at Gill Creek Baptist Church. While at Gill Creek, he faithfully served in the Male Chorus and Sanctuary Choir until his health prevented him from singing regularly.
During his extended illness, Oliver Thomas, Sr. never complained, never lost his faith in God, and never stopped believing in the divine word of God. Like Job, Mr. Thomas remained a faithful servant of the Lord. He had confidence in the promises of God, especially the promise of Christ Jesus who said, "Lo, I am with you always, and I will never leave nor forsake you" (Matthew 28:20 and Hebrews 13:5). He also found encouragement, strength and comfort in the Twenty-third Psalm of David; Oliver Sr. knew and believed "The Lord is my Shepherd."

Today, we remember and celebrate the life and legacy of Oliver Thomas, Sr., a Christian man, devoted husband, loving father, caring neighbor, trusting friend, and faithful church member. He loved all of us because he first loved God.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted of 55 years, Ruby; children, Valeri and Oliver Jr. (Theresa); grandchildren: Terin H. Blanchard, MD, Naiema Blanchard, JD and Christina Thomas; five great grandchildren; sisters Edna Elkins of Norfolk, Virginia and Jessie Gadsen of New York City, New York; brother, Joseph (Mary) Thomas of Columbia, South Carolina; brothers-in-law, Marvin (Holly) Taylor of Columbia, South Carolina and Robert (Juanita) Taylor of New York City; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his brother, Wilbert "Bill" Thomas.

Finally, like Job, our beloved Oliver Thomas, Sr. can say unto God, "All the days of my appointed time will I wait, til my change come." (Job 14:14) He waited, and his wait was not in vain. In 2 Corinthians 5:8, it says, "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be a sent from the body and to be present with the Lord." Trusting God in all situations and circumstances, he found hope and strength in Matthew 25:40.


Homegoing service: Gill Creek Baptist Church (2116 Cushman Drive, Columbia)

Burial: Fort Jackson National Cemetery.