Ernest E. Thomas Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Reverend Ernest E. Thomas (a long time resident of Paterson, New Jersey), born in Raeford, North Carolina, who passed away on April 10, 2023, at the age of 84, in Fort Worth, TX.
Rev. Ernest Emanuel Thomas was the thirteenth of sixteen children
born to the late John Foster Thomas, II & Katie Prince Gales-Thomas on 30th of 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 moved 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 Rev.
Thomas and his family joined The Great Migration and relocated north to Pat-
erson, 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 for 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, his
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, TX and The Rev. Dr. Garrett M. Thomas and his wife Dawn of Somerville,
NJ; twelve grandchildren, eighteen great-grand children, and two great-great
grandchildren, along with a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives,
church family, and friends.
A funeral service was held on Monday, April 17th 2023 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Wesr Mount Mariah Baptist Church (5325 Bunnell Ave. Fort Worth, TX). A celebration of life was held on Wednesday, April 19th 2023 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the First A. M. E Zion Church (326 Ellison St. Paterson, NJ). A burial will be held on Saturday, April 22nd 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Jackson Hamlet Cemetery (Aberdeen, NC).
