Raymond Thomas
Lifelong member of St. Paul AME Church
Raymond “Archie” Thomas, 95, of Washington, passed away Sunday, October 20, 2013, in Humbert Lane Personal Care Home, South Strabane Township, following a lengthy illness.
He was born July 18, 1918, in Washington, the ninth of 10 children. He was a son of Richard A. and Anna Mae Patterson Thomas.
Mr. Thomas was educated in the public schools and was a high-honors graduate of Washington High School in January 1937.
After high school graduation, he was employed from 1937 to 1942 in Nemacolin Country Club, at which time, he and seven other men, through the efforts of the local NAACP and other concerned citizens, became the first of “Later to Follow” black men hired by local Jessop Steel Corp. He was employed at Jessop until his retirement February 1, 1981, with more than 39 years of service.
He was united in marriage January 6, 1941, to the late Nelva W. Marshall.
Mr. Thomas was a life member of the local NAACP, having served two terms on the executive board. He also served as NAACP representative on the Council of Churches and the LeMoyne Multicultural Community Center executive committee.
He was a member of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church of Washington. He joined the church in October 1933, under the pastorate of the late R.C.N. Thompson; his service there had been long and faithful. He served on the usher board, founded and was named director of the gospel choir and was appointed a steward in 1948 by the pastor, the Rev. T.M. Greene.
In 1952, the late Rev. John F. Little appointed Mr. Thomas financial secretary of the church. In 1965, he was voted St. Paul AME Laymen of the Year for service given. He had also been honored on numerous occasions by church auxiliaries. He continued to serve in all of the above positions masterfully and tirelessly until 2007, when at the ripe age of 89, he challenged “younger church members” to step up to the tasks.
For a brief period thereafter, he continued to direct the choir and was humbled beyond words when the Rev. Arthur E. Doctor Jr. renamed the choir, “The Archie Thomas Gospel Choir.”
He was thought of as an early riser, avid walker and late to retire when he wore many hats within the church.
Mr. Thomas had always been a sports enthusiast with basketball and golf as his main interests.
He cherished the time he spent with his family at home, as well as at the biannual family reunions.
Mr. Thomas summed up his life in these few words, “If I have achieved anything or made any kind of mark in this life, it’s only through the grace of God and the love and support of my family and friends.”
Surviving are a son, Alan Raymond (Ruth) Thomas of Pittsburgh; two grandchildren, Malcolm Raymond (Aiesha) Thomas of Pittsburgh and Khalilah Thomas (Derek) Pittman of Philadelphia; five lovely great-grandchildren, Asha Thomas, Amir Pittman, Kamal Pittman, Laliah Pittman and Anebana Thomas; two nieces, Betty Ann Robinson and Debra Iott; and five nephews, Leonard Mack, Ronald Thomas, Donald Ferrell, David Wilson and Richard Thomas. A host of great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins also survive.
Deceased are five sisters, Alleen Ferrell, Nellie Mae Mack, Celestine Johnson, Alice Campbell and Dorothy Wilson; and four brothers, John Thomas, Sell Thomas, Richard Thomas and Warren Thomas.
Friends will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday in St. Paul AME Church, 16 Ridge Avenue, Washington. All floral arrangements should be delivered to the church Friday. A homegoing service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 26, in the church with the Rev. Samuel Ware officiating. Interment will follow in the Washington Cemetery.
Arrangements are entrusted to Warco-Falvo Funeral Home Inc., Wilson at East Katherine avenues, Washington, S. Timothy Warco, supervisor/director, Susan Falvo Warco, director, S. Timothy Warco II, director.
Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com.