Theodore James Thomas Sr.

Elder Theodore James Thomas Sr., age 89, of Sturgis, KY., formerly of Henderson, entered into his eternal rest at 9:37 p.m. Sunday September 12, 2021 at Deaconess Hospital Union County in Morganfield, KY.  Born May 1, 1932 in Cairo, Kentucky, he was the son of the late George and Frances Thomas.  He was the pastor of Sturgis Church of God in Christ and served 40 years as Superintendent of Sunday School for Kentucky First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ.  Early in life he began in street ministry under Bishop Goldsberry in Chicago, Illinois.  He later moved to Henderson and became a minister at Corydon Church of God in Christ for a few years.  He started co-pastoring at Noel Street Church of God in Christ in Madisonville.  He would later start a church in Beaver Dam and Marion, Kentucky where he became pastor.  He then pastored Ware Memorial Church of God in Christ in Paducah, Kentucky for 2 years.  From there he became pastor of Sturgis Church of God in Christ.  He was active in the Food Bank Ministry, Jail Ministry, and Hospitality Ministry.  He loved fishing, traveling, and gardening.  He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean War and a self-employed carpenter.  He also was preceded in death by a beloved daughter Tawanna Thomas; a step-son Bobby Johnson; and six brothers and three sisters.  He leaves behind to cherish his loving memories his wife of 25 years Rachel (Sullivan-Johnson) Thomas of Sturgis; nine children LaDreanna (Marshall) Chambers Sr. of Henderson, Theodore (Akwa) Thomas Jr. of Nashville, Tennessee, Tonya (Anthony) Hayes Sr. of Henderson, Rebekah (Jackie) Cook of Evansville, Indiana, Carla (Steven) Cawthon of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Darlene Prather of Henderson, Steven (Laura) Thomas of Evansville, Indiana, Edward Thomas of Henderson, and Shonna Thomas of Henderson; the children's mother Gloria Thomas of Henderson; a sister Christina Leslie of Los Angeles, California; three sisters-in-law Vivian Thomas of Chicago, Illinois, Edith Hall, and Joyce Williams.  He also is survived by five step-children Patrick Johnson, James (Martina) Johnson, Gerald Johnson, Chris Johnson, and William (Tiffany) Johnson; 20 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; seven in-laws Phyllis Sullivan, Esther Allen, Nathan (Irma) Sullivan, Elizabeth (Ramedan) Sabir, Phillip (Pam) Sullivan, Walter Sullivan, and Shirley (Newland) Carter; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and his Sturgis Church of God in Christ family Terry and Angela McGuire, James, Leslie and Samuel Everhart.  His life will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 20, 2021 at Abundant Life Assembly of God church located at 5540 US 41-A in Henderson, Kentucky.  Bishop John Fleming of Kentucky First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ will officiate. Burial will be in Thomas Cemetery in Cairo, Kentucky where military honors will be performed by the 101st Airborne Division of Fort Campbell, Kentucky and by the American Legion Post 40 of Henderson. Visitation and wake services will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 19 at Elliott Mortuary Chapel in Madisonville and after 10:00 a.m. Monday at Abundant Life Assembly of God church in Henderson. The funeral service will be live-streamed for your viewing on Elliott Mortuary’s Facebook page beginning at 11:00 a.m. Central Time on Monday.  Elliott Mortuary in Madisonville is in charge of his arrangements and where condolences can be shared at www.elliottmortuarycares.com.

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