Roosevelt Thomas

On November 4, 1929, Andrew and Lucy Hogan Thomas welcomed to their family a handsome baby boy. They named him Roosevelt. Roosevelt was raised in Clark County, Arkansas and was educated at the Manchester Rural School. Nurtured in a Christian environment, Roosevelt gave his life to Christ at a young age and joined Piney Grove AME Church. He later moved his membership to Harmony Baptist Church in Sparkman, Arkansas and lastly to Mt. Morriah Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon. On June 11, 1975, believing God’s Word, “….and the two shall become one flesh….” he married the beautiful and sweet Earthline Gipson. The Lord blessed this union with a beautifully blended family. Together they laid a solid foundation for family life based on love, commitment, and Christian values. Deacon Thomas was a retired logger having worked for CH Burns Logging Company. Some of his favorite pastimes included hunting, gardening, farming, but his greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends. He was not a man of many words, but of few words and of many virtues. He was a good man and a hard worker. Deacon Thomas traveled his road of life and dealt with the stormy and sunny days along the way to the best of his ability with integrity and character. On Wednesday, September 14, 2011 in his 81st season of life at National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs he surrendered his soul to Christ with his wife Earthline and daughter Ruby at his side. He was preceded in transition by his parents; two brothers, Anderson Thomas and Clifford Thomas; his mother-in-law, Arline Gipson, one sister-in-law Kathy Gipson Bullock. Deacon Thomas was a patient man. He always maintained a humble spirit and mild disposition throughout his life. We will remember his smiles, his love, and infectious laugh. He leaves a legacy of love and his memories will be cherished by his wife of 36 years, Earthline Gipson Thomas; his children, Sharon Thomas, Stanley Thomas both of Hot Springs, Mary Davis of Rockford, IL , Ruby (Vernon) Moody, Darrel (Lesa) Simpson all of Arkadelphia and Gary Thomas of Pine Bluff; nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law Eligah (Patsy) Gipson of Rockford, IL; six sisters-in-law, Maggie Thomas and Versie (Aaron) Allen both of Arkadelphia, Bessie (Josh) Williams, Mildred (Charles) McCall, Shirley Thrower all of Rockford, Il and Charline (Phillip) Newell of Oakland, CA; a goddaughter, Jacqueline (Haja) Newburn of Arkadelphia and godsister, Bobbie Walker of Sparkman and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mr. Thomas will lie in repose in the funeral home on Thursday from 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. A home going celebration will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Morriah Missionary Baptist Church, where Rev. Vernon Moody, Sr. is the pastor and eulogist. The committal service and final resting place will be in Piney Grove Cemetery. Bearers of the Casket: Andre Bullock, Calvin Bullock, Dexter Gipson, Rickey Gipson, Scott Thomas and Troy Thomas. Honorary Bearers of the Casket: Eric Allen, Jamie Allen, Bobby King, Garry Dorsey, Patrick Gipson, Anderson Thomas, Jr., Donnie Thomas and Jeff Thomas.