Rev. Lionel "John" THomas, Sr.

Rev. Lionel “John” Thomas, Sr., 86, of Stowell, died Monday, March 22, 2021, at The Arboretum, Winnie. He was born on April 23, 1934, in Opelousas, Louisiana, to Helen Harrison and Daniel Thomas. John was a rice farmer.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ella Thomas; sons, Roosevelt Green and his wife, Marilyn; LeRoy Green and his wife, Debra; Lionel Thomas, Jr; and James Thomas, all of Stowell; daughters, Mary Leday and Evelyn Vigers and her husband, Roland, both of Stowell; and Rosnall Faye Tarver and her husband, Michael, Sr., of Beaumont; sisters, Shirley Thomas and Stella Mayo, both of Florida, Helen Williams, Theresa Edwards and Gertrude Johnson, all of Opelousas, Louisiana, and Rose Leger, of Bremerton, Washington; brothers, Rev. Daris Thomas, Moses Thomas and Nathanial Thomas, all of Stowell, Peter Thomas, of Newark, New Jersey, and Carlton Thomas, of Dallas; a host of grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren.

John is preceded in death by his son, James Clifton Green; parents, Helen Jones and Daniel Thomas; sister, Ida Leday, Joyce Johnson, and Mary Thomas; and brother, Alfred Thomas.

A gathering of Rev. Thomas’ family and friends will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 27, 2021, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday afternoon at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1344 County Road 133 North, Liberty, with his interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1344 County Road 133 North, Liberty, Texas 77575.

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