Mr. Isaiah RaโShawn โZayโ Thomas, 17, of Gastonia, NC passed away on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at Atrium Health Levine Childrenโs Hospital in Charlotte, NC. He was born on July 29, 2003 in Cleveland County, NC to Jessica Thomas McMiller.
He was born with a contagious smile and he was always filled with laughter. Reared by his mother along with his three sisters, he was a helpful and respectful person who looked out for his family. Everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him knows him for his manners and ability to easily brighten your day. He was tall as a tree and loved the game of basketball. He was effortlessly great at the sport. Isaiah graduated from Bessemer City High School on May 28, 2021. He made us all very proud.
Those who have gone before him include his grandfather, Ralph James Thomas.
He is survived by his mother, Jessica Thomas McMiller (Trenton); his grandmother, Alice Logan Mosley (Walter); sisters, Alenzia Thurman, Dominque Degree and Nevaeh Thomas; uncle, James Lamonte Thomas and aunt, Crystal Logan Maddox (Terry). Isaiah was blessed to have a very large extended family of brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, a godmother and a godbrother who he loved and cherished.
The funeral service for Mr. Thomas will be private. He can be viewed from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at S. T. Enloe Memorial Chapel. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at the chapel. Burial will take place at Sunset Cemetery.
We miss uu a lot zay it wasn't your time but save us a seat especially mya but we love uu long live uu 3L๐ฅบ๐ค๐ฝ
Sorry
Jessica: Words can be so inadequate during the loss of a loved one. I will always remember Isiah as the well mannered little boy who helped my sister (Emily Davis) with carrying out the trash or whatever she needed... he caught my attention because he would say yes mam and no mam Ms. Emily and I knew then he was being raised in a Christian home. I'm so sorry for your loss... praying for God to give you the strength and a peace that surpasses all understanding during this most difficult time. Isiah was LOVED by Ms. Emily and WILL always HOLD a SPECIAL place in her heart... THANK you for allowing my sister to visit Isiah before God called him home to eternal peace. I know Isiah heard her talking to him. Jessica, hold onto God's unchanging hand and the wonderful memories of your beloved son, Isiah!
When we lose someone we love we must learn not to live without them but to live with the love they left behind (author unknown)
And Isiah left behind a legacy of love. I will never forget the well mannered little boy helping Ms. Emily and the bond they shared.
God Bless, Wendy Russell (Emily's Sister)
Jessica, I am at a loss for words for that would provide you and your family comfort during this time of such devastating loss. I know that Isaiah was an incredible young man that touched the lives of those he encountered. May you find comfort knowing that and cherishing the memories of your beautiful son and the positive, loving, caring impact he made in this world.
I didn't hang around Zay but he hung around my cousin before he passed. & he had a smile that would light up a whole room ! Prayers & condolences to his friends & family ๐.
Keeping all in prayer during this difficult storm. May the Lord keep watch now and forever over my family.
I taught Isiah at BCHS. He was a very smart and polite young man with a beautiful smile and personality. The last time I spoke with him was at graduation practice. I told him how happy I was to see him back in the halls of BCHS since he had been attending school virtually this year and how proud I was of him for graduating. Praying for God's peace and your precious memories to see you through these difficult days ๐
I taught Isiah at BCHS. He was a very smart and polite young man with a beautiful smile and personality. The last time I spoke with him was at graduation practice. I told him how happy I was to see him back in the halls of BCHS since he had been attending school virtually this year and how proud I was of him for graduating. Praying for God's peace and your precious memories to see you through these difficult days ๐
I didn't know your precious son but I hear he was a wonderful young man and a hero to some. I am so very sorry. You are in my prayers. Karen Brady
he was my favorite TrampK ๐
Isaiah had the most potential and you finally was starting to get it right heck of an athlete even better kid you will always be one of my favorites and definitely will be missed #5 COACH HOLMES BESSEMER CITY HIGH SCHOOL
Words can't explain how hurt I am considering the lost of zay , me & zay being as close as we were , my whole heart , my best friend , a boyfriend , he was everything to me . We we're always together, the memories we rekindled will never leave my mind ๐ , I can't express the hurt his family & friends feel but ik deeply & truly everybody's Hurt in behind this ! I'm praying , I love you forever My Zay ๐ค๐ฝ - Mya Jordan ๐
To the family sorry for your loss, I watched Zay grown up and he was a bright young man that would brighten up any room. Will keep the family in my๐๐พ๐๐พ Good bless Kerry Clay
we love you zay! thank you for all the fun memories in high school! thank you for always making me smile and cracking jokes! ball up there with god โค๏ธ prayers to the family! -melissa polson
To my family I love yall and I can't shake this feeling but I know cuz did what he was suppose to do when he was here.. Zay loved his family dearly and I love lil cuzโค He watching over us now so we gon continue to make him proud . He was so full of life and got cut short but Zay fly high baby rest peacefully and when its time for us to come home I know u will be standing greeting with that contagious smile with the rest of our loved ones โค To Jessica & my cuzo's if u ever need me im here always we family and we stick by each other & we all we got ... I love yall. I pray daily for yall๐
Isaiah was so wise before his time he was funny a laugh that was funnier than the joke he will be miss while being remembered i love you always
Jessica, we're praying for you and the girls. Just know that we're here for you all doing this difficult time. We will always cherish the times we spent with Zay! Love, Nana and Papa Womack
Jessica I'm praying ๐ for u,his family,& friends, all that loved Isaiah. God bless & give y'all peace & comfort. I love u. Sorry I can't b there. My health isn't too good. Please take care of each other. Love Amanda's mom.
I'm truly sorry for your loss. The last time I saw Isaiah he was working at Food Lion off of 74. I would often pass him in Walmart. He give me a big hug. I'd tell him how tall he had gotten and I'm so happy to see him, Him and Ray and Malik would play together and I still have a picture of them at my home church taking a picture in SC. My heart truly aches. I'm praying for God to surround you all with peace and healing. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. God has a plan and a purpose although we aren't to question God. Gods ways are not our ways. Love you all. We are here if you need anything.Rev. Tawanda Berry Harris and family
Dear Jessica and Family, Isaiah's smile always brightened my day when I saw him and he always would give me a hug. He was always such a good friend to Lexi since middle school. I am so very sorry for your pain and my prayers are with you during this time. Jennifer Mitchell
We met this family at Levine Children's Hospital, and we never knew Isaiah but got to know his dear family. We have been blessed beyond measure to have known them the short time we did. We know it was under horrific circumstances that we met but also know that God has a purpose and reason for everything! Prayers for you in this most difficult season of life. I wish I could make the sting and pain go away but we know that God will hold you tight and give comfort to pass all understanding of the moments. Much Love!
Isaiah always treated me like a sister, ive played basketball with him since middle school and our moms worked together and were friends at one point so he's always been in my life. I had chemistry with him junior year and we were lab partners, when i tell you we had no clue what we were doing i mean it. he's always been a good guy and I know he would've created a name for himself in the world, i miss him more and more everyday. i'll always have a spot in my heart for you Zay, save me a spot up there man - Lexi
I am really sorry for your lost I didn't really no him I knew him from playing for a basketball team I am so sorry for your lost god does things for a reason my thought and prayers go out to you and your family. Don't be discouraged because it will be alright . He is resting easy with god right now look down on you and your family.
We are so sorry for the loss of Isaiah. He was a nice and caring young man. May God be with you always and continue to comfort you all. The family is in our prayers. God Bless๐ Sheila Davis
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