Roosevelt Thomas

Roosevelt Thomas was born on December 25, 1916 in Bishopville, South Carolina to the late Jobe D. and Marie R. Thomas. He departed this life for his heavenly reward on February 27,
2023 at home surrounded by family. He was one of eight children that resided and attended schools in Lee County. Roosevelt Thomas married Manolia Isaac on December 17, 1939 and
together they lived Christian lives as examples to their family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Manolia, his oldest daughter Marie (Alvin both deceased), sons Roosevelt Jr. (died as an infant), and Tyrone. Siblings Carrie Mae Bradshaw (Johnny), Golden Thomas Davis (Willie Robert), James Thomas (Niza), Jobe Thomas, Jr. (Mary), Willie Mae Abraham (Hosea), Juanita Blyther (Herman); brother in law (Spert). He leaves with lifelong memories two daughters, Catherine (Steve), Manolia, daughter-in-law Laura Ann; sibling Walter Ruth Jenkins (Isaac) ;grandchildren Stephenia, Sharon, Alva, Anthony-Michael, Dawn, Victoria, Laverne, Myrikk, Jamie, and Terrance; along with 23 great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren and a special friend, Charles Aiken. Roosevelt was a hard worker. At an early age, he worked on a farm, went on to work for Lee Motor Company and the Charleston Naval Shipyard where he retired after 37 ½ years as a machinist; all while owning and operating an auto repair shop where he worked on cars for Summerville residents and his church family for many, many years. He eventually taught the
trade to his son, grandsons, and great grandchildren. He made sure that they knew what to do if he couldn’t get to them Mr. Thomas became a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church at 407 S. Main Street in Summerville, SC in 1944 where he continued to serve until his health prevented him from doing so. He served as President of the Usher Board for more than 75 years, served on the Steward Board, Sons of Allen and Lay Organization. The Usher Room at Bethel has been named after him as a tribute to his faithfulness. He loved his church family! Mr. Thomas was a member of the New Eden Lodge #329; Prince Hall Mason, Wisteria Lodge, various community organizations and a Life Member of the NAACP. He could always be seen in his yard admiring and caring for his garden and took pride in showing off his picture of the biggest head of cabbage the family had ever seen. Mr. Roosevelt, as he was called by his church family and the community, enjoyed telling of his experiences growing up during the depression when gas was rationed, when he walked five miles to school, and the times when there was only one traffic light, and Dorchester Road was a dirt road. He lived a good life! He would always say; It's not how long your life is, but what you do while you’re here that is important . Mr. Thomas  life has been a true blessing to all that have crossed his path. He and his wife raised their family by being examples of Christians living their lives in God’s will. He always gave thanks and praise to the man he called; The Good Master

Proverbs 9:11

And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your Father David

walked, then I will lengthen your days.

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