A Life Remembered
The Reverend Charles Sidney Thomas was born on October 27, 1948, in Orlando, Florida. He was the second son of Charlie Lee and Ruth E. Thomas, following his adopted brother, Clarence.
Charles grew up in Winter Park, Florida, where he graduated from Hungerford High School in 1966. During his high school years, he was an athlete on the football team, a dedicated member of the marching band, and he worked every summer as a lifeguard.
A man of deep faith, Charles was baptized at an early age and was nurtured under the fellowship of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Institutional Church in Orlando. His love for music was evident, as he sang in various church and community choirs, sang with the Gospel Music Workshop of America, and co-founded The Five Steps of Recovery singing group where he shared his beautiful tenor voice with all who heard him.
After high school, Charles was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served honorably for four years. During this time, he married his high school sweetheart, Evangelyne Massey. From that union, they had three children and also adopted and lovingly raised a niece as their own.
On October 10, 1999, Charles married the love of his life, Gail Jackson. Their bond remained strong until his passing on November 27, 2024, a testament to the enduring love they shared.
Charles was a retiree from AT &T, owned Around the Clock Bail Bond Agency, and explored several other entrepreneurial ventures. Post retirement, Charles earned a bachelor's degree from Belhaven University and was also a proud Scottish Rite Mason.
In 2008, Charles answered the call and became an ordained minister, In 2013, he was licensed as a Reverend, both under the leadership of Bishop Errol G. Thompson. Charles served as a part of the ministerial staff at New Life Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church until health issues prevented him from continuing, but his faith and devotion never wavered.
Preceding Charles in death were his parents, Charlie and Ruth, brother, Clarence Walthour, former mother-in-law, Annie Dell Massey, brother-in-law, James Coles, mother and father-in-law, Presley Sr. and Berthinia Jackson, sister and brother in-law, Roberta and Michael Stokes, brother-in-law, Presley Jackson, Jr, and sister-in-law, Angela Jackson.
Charles leaves behind a legacy of love, cherished by his devoted wife, Gail; his children, Cheryl (Eric), Keisha, Stacee (Lynsay), and Tim (Jennifer), his sister, Lula Coles; his sisters-in-law, Carolyn Jackson, Joan Holmes (Bobby); and his brother-in-law, Holly Jackson. Two special nieces, Nannette Walthour and Tempre Smith, his beloved sister/cousin, Valorie G. Roberts; He is also survived by his namesake brother-in-law, Charles N. Massey (Janice), goddaughter Nailah McKever (Erica Montgomery), godsister, Eleanor Jennings (Alto), godbrother Frank Tooley (Jane), and his ride-or-die partner, Harold Smiley.
Charles also leaves 22 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other special relatives and friends who will forever cherish his memory.
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Keisha Thomas says
December 4, 2024 at 7:21 PMTo the 1st Man that has ever loved me, and instilled in me my value and worth…THANK YOU! Daddy, you will forever be my Superhero, and I’m going to miss talking and laughing with you. You never ended a call without an I love you you baby girl. Thank you for stepping in and helping me to raise both of my children, Daddy THANK YOU! You were not perfect and neither was I, heck we even disagreed at times but what remained constant was your love for me! Throughout your illness you made time to call, check in and even cuss whenever I failed to tell you my medical updates… Daddy I’m going to miss you so much but I know that your healing has been made complete and you are resting in God! Always and forever your baby girl- Keisha❤️❤️
Glenethel Evans James says
December 6, 2024 at 7:00 PMMy deepest heartfelt sympathy to the family. Wishing you peace
and comfort in these difficult days. .
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