Rev. David Thomas, 94, of Phenix City, AL Friday, February 24, 2023, God called his faithful servant home for eternal rest in Columbus, GA.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. EST, Friday, March 3, 2023 at Franchise Missionary Baptist Church, Phenix City, AL with Dr. Raymond Cochran, pastor and Pastor Noble Williams, eulogist. Interment will follow in Green Acres Cemetery, Columbus, GA. Visitation will be Thursday, March 2, 2023 from 12-5 p.m. EST with a family hour from 3-5 p.m. EST.

Reverend David Lee Thomas was born on April 21, 1928, in Dawson, Georgia to the late Bill Thomas and the late Eva Gammage. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Wiley Williams and John Thomas; two sisters, Willeva Thomas and Leola Thomas. He received his early education at Helen Gurl in Parrott, Georgia. He worked for Bickerstaff Brick Yard in Phenix City, AL, Howard Bus Line, Southern Foods, and Dr. George S. Whatley.

David Thomas accepted Christ at an early age and joined Jackson Grove Baptist Church, in Parrott, GA. He then joined the Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. JC Cook. Throughout his years of serving the Lord he has remained a member under the leadership of Rev. Noble Williams.

Rev. Thomas accepted his calling into the Ministry, and he completed Christian Theological Seminary School on March 22, 1974. He has served as Pastor at Mount Olive Baptist Church, Seale, AL from 1975-1985, Cross Road Baptist Church, Seale, AL, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Phenix City, AL, and he retired from the Mount Olive Baptist Church, Fortson, Georgia, after faithfully serving for 32 years. He was a member of the National Baptist Convention, USA and many other influential religious organizations.

Throughout his life he was known for his melodious voice while singing with The Rising Four, and the Five Trumpets, the latter of which he was an original founding member. The group has been known to the quartet community for 65+ years.

Rev. Thomas’ favorite gospel group was Willie Banks & The Messengers, and he enjoyed Fishing for Crappies. He leaves to cherish his loving memories, his darling wife of 70 years whom he affectionately called “DEAR & MRS. T”, Mrs. Annie Thomas; one sister, Elizabeth Robinson of Philadelphia, PA; two sons: Reginald D. Raleigh (Cindy Ann) of Smith Station, AL, and Charles E. Raleigh (Cynthia) of Columbus, GA; two daughters: Valeria Cosby (Rufus) of Columbus, GA, and Talethia Davison (Leon) of Columbus, GA; 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; a special son, Ron Jackson of Columbus, GA; two nieces, Margaret Higgins of Atlanta, GA and Diane Hill of Columbus, GA; one nephew, Calvin Murphy of Atlanta, GA; special family friends, Bobby and Mildred McCalister of Jacksonville, FL, Jessie and Carolyn Richards of Columbus, GA, and Marion and Miriam Que of Dawson, GA. Rev. Thomas leaves behind an uncountable number of family, friends, and people that he has touched with his life of love.