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Obituary For Elder Thomas Rorie Jr.
Elder Thomas Rorie Jr., (affectionately known as “Sonny Boy”), received his eternal rest from labor to reward on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, surrounded by loved ones.
He was born on March 19, 1952 to Thomas Rorie, Sr. and Louise Wall Rorie.
Thomas Rorie Jr. received his education in Anson County, NC and worked various jobs in Anson County and Union County. He was also an Army Veteran and after moving to Washington State, he worked for the City of Toppenish, WA as a sanitation worker and Darigold Milk Company in Yakima, WA. His final job was working in Yakima County Road Maintenance for 30 years.
He married his one true love, Marie Etta Campbell, on February 16, 1979.
He grew up attending Ebenezer Baptist Church in Wadesboro, NC and was also a member of Morning Star Church of Christ Holiness in Yakima, WA for over 30 years. Until the time of his transition, he was a member of Greater Harvest Church in Indian Trail, NC for 13 years.
Thomas served in different capacities in ministry which included prison ministry at jails (3 years) and Washington State Maximum Security Penitentiary in Walla Walla, WA (10 years) and he also assisted with street ministry. He was a devout student of the word of God and excelled at rightly dividing the word of truth while serving as a Sunday School Teacher and Diocese Sunday School Superintendent.
Thomas was preceded in death by his mother, Louise Wall Rorie and father, Thomas Rorie, Sr.
He leaves to cherish his memory, wife Marie Rorie of Monroe, NC; sons James F. Bridges, Jr. of Wadesboro, NC, Kevin Thomas Rorie of Yakima, WA, and daughter Tera Denise Rorie of Monroe, NC; brothers James Arthur (Lana) Wall of Oxford, NC, Donnell Rorie of Morven, NC, Nathaniel (Doris) Rorie of Wadesboro, NC, Kenneth Leo Rorie of New Haven, Connecticut, Ricky (Teresa) Rorie of Spokane, WA; sisters Stella Louise Johnson of Morven, NC, Betty Jean Rorie and Cynthia Elaine Rorie of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Jayme T. Bridges, Jayson T. Bridges, Aaleayh A. Rorie, Tevin Rorie, Kevin T. Rorie, Jr., Jordan Rorie, Ja’Kaylah M. Rorie, Alejandra Walker, Eva Walker as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
The Homegoing Services will be on Friday, April 19, 2024, 12:00 noon, Smith’s Memorial Chapel, 604 Salisbury Street, Wadesboro, North Carolina. Interment will follow the services at Westview Memorial Park.
The Rorie Family will greet family and friends on Friday, April 19, 2024 from 11:30am-12:00 noon and at all other times at the family residence.
The public viewing will be on Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 3:00-6:00pm at Smith’s Funeral Home.
The service will be livestreamed on Facebook from H.C. Smith Funeral Home.
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Heavenly & Harmony was sent for Elder Thomas Rorie Jr. - April 18, 2024
Daren Banks sent Sweet Moments for Elder Thomas Rorie Jr. - April 18, 2024
May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared comfort you and your family now and in the days too come... Banks Family
CHRIS CHILESHE sent Sweet Moments for Elder Thomas Rorie Jr. - April 18, 2024
Rest in peace Bro Thomas. Your wit and smile will be missed.
Jerome Pollock sent Red and White Handled Basket for Elder Thomas Rorie Jr. - April 16, 2024
My sincere condolence and love to the family. MSG Jerome Pollock Fayetteville N.C,
Danielle Shelton-Collins planted 5 trees in memory of Elder Thomas Rorie Jr. . - April 18, 2024
My sincere condolences to the family praying for the peace of god for you. Thomas was a very nice and hospitable person all was helpful in any way,
May the god of all comfort, comfort you in your tribulations 2 Corinthians 3:4
Love in Christ JoAnn Rollins
Brother Tom you will truly be missed, your words of wisdom will always bestow on me, I will hold on to them as I continue life, sister Marie you are in our thoughts and prayers, we love you
Elder (Brother) Thomas Rorie, I can still picture him singing during Sunday School at Morning Star "Satan is a Sly Old Fox." He was one of the best Sunday School Superintendents. My dear family know that he just transitioned into the presence of the Father, and that those in Christ have a promise that we all will one day be together again.
Deepest condolences to the family for your loss. May you find strength is his memory. Ephnya Knotts Bittle
🙏🏽condolences 🙏🏽
My brother, friend, mentor, role model, sound advisor, Bible teacher, prayer leader, and helper with guiding my sons through adulthood. He and his faithful wife bestowed their wonderful attributes upon my life. I am blessed and grateful to God for bringing them into my life. Tom big smile and infectious laugh helped me see past his huge intimidating, larger than life presence ...Lol. Both Tom and Marie allowed themselves to become vulnerable by openly sharing their testimonies which made me feel that I too was worthy of Godly forgiveness. They are also very hospitable inviting and welcoming. I knew that they loved me and my children. Death is final but I know that brother Tom has many jewels in his crown and he is wearing his well deserved royal crown and white robe. Tom is relaxing in his heavenly mansion or sitting at God's banquet table drinking the healing water and being honored by God saying, "Well done my good and faithful servant."
To my Rorie family, I am extremely sorry for the passing of Uncle Thomas. I can't imagine what you all must be feeling right now. I pray that God will grant you the strength and comfort. Sending you my condolences during this difficult time. Kendra Brantley (Rorie)
Dear Sister Marie & Family, My deepest condolences to you & the Family. Bro. Rorie was a Great Man of GOD who is truly going to be missed. May the Lord give you comfort you all during this difficult time. To be absent from the body & present with the lord! Rest In Heaven Bro. Rorie! Sis. Melissa Kimble
What can I say about a dear friend that I've known for as long as I can remember. We were classmates and Pisces ♓ March 15th & March 19. You were a Groomsman in my wedding & shared so many activities throughout our lives. I will miss that smile. Rest in eternal peace my friend.
I love you grandpa. I love you so much! -Ja'kaylah Marie Rorie
Thomas was such a nice, engaging, and caring neighbor. I got to know him over the years when we crossed paths walking around the neighborhood.I am thankful for the conversations we had and for knowing Thomas. My prayers are for comfort and peace to his family! Charles Reedy - Monroe, NC
Mr,Thomas was a great neighbor. I've known him since I was a little kid in my neighborhood and he always supported me and my grass mowing business as a young man. He will be greatly missed he was a very wise man and I always enjoyed talking with him and having him tell me to save up my money and be a hard worker. May he rest in peace. Nick coley
To my classmate and one of my my favorite cousin. T Rorie as we called you in school. As we got older and went in different directions you never forgot to come back home. The family always ended up at Garris Grove Church. I had the pleasure of meeting your wife. The last time you come you told me you was in the ministry. My condolences goes out to wife and all your sisters and brothers. Forever in our hearts: Rosa Wall-Little & The entire Wall Family
Rip again classmate Jackie Mckinney 🙏🏿🙏🏿
Jackie Mckinney
I remember Thomas Rorie in school,He was kind funny and a great friend My condolences to his family, RIP T.Rorie 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿❤
Thomas was a classmate at Bowman Sr. High School who we affectionately knew as T. Rorie. I remember him as a true gentleman, quiet spirit, & always smiling. He was unstoppable on the basketball court. I had the pleasure of seeing Thomas in 2018 at The Faison School Reunion. I had not seen him since high school graduation in 1970 & that same friendly smile was still there. To his Wife & Family, my deepest sympathy and condolences; may you find comfort in the memories, pictures, & kindness T. Rorie exemplified. 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 -15 reminds us that though we grieve, it is not without HOPE, a Blessed Hope that we will see our loved ones again. Prayers & Blessings to All of You 🙏🏽 Olinda Griffin (Tillman)
Elder Rosie was a friend and also a Soldier who worked for me in Germany. He was a good and respectable young man. He left Germany unexpectedly. Thru the grace of God we connected 20 years later. I will always treasure Rorie memory.He was like a Son to me. My condolence and prayers to his family.
Sheriff Howell and Anson County Sheriff's office share in your sorrow and send you heartfelt condolences for the loss of your loved one. We wish you peace to bring you comfort, courage to help you face the days ahead, and loving memories to forever hold in your heart.
My sincere condolences to the family of Elder Thomas Rorie Jr. I remember him as a student and a member of the Bowman Senior High basketball team in Wadesboro NC. - Delane Rorie
Sorry for your loss. We were classmates at Bowman Senior High School. May God bring you and your family comfort.
Sending my sincere condolences and prayers to the family 😇🕊
Dear Sister Marie Rorie and family,
WE are deeply sorry for your loss and wish to extend my heartfelt sympathies on behalf of the southeast Deacon and Stewards in Yakima, Washington. We know that the passing of our dear brother, Deacon Thomas Rorie, has left a void in your lives and in the community, he served so faithfully.
We want you to know that you are not alone in your grief. The entire community shares your sorrow and honors the memory of Deacon Rorie, who was an outstanding example of a Godly and upright man. His faithful service to both the church and the community will never be forgotten.
As we reflect on life, we find comfort in the scripture Revelations 14:13, which reminds us that those who die in the Lord are blessed and will rest from their labors. We pray that God's love and peace will surround you during this difficult time.
Please know that we are here for you and offer our unwavering support in any way we can. May you find solace in the memories you hold dear and the knowledge that Deacon Rorie's legacy will live on.
With deepest sympathy, The Southeast Deacon and Stewards in Yakima, Washington
President Deacon Otis west
Family, so sorry to hear this news. Will be keeping you all in my prayers. Dixie Allen
To the Rorie Family you have my condolences. There are a lot of things that I could say about the man I knew as Thomas Roie, Jr. aka T Rorie, Sonny Boy. All are good. He was a neighbor, classmate, and friend. We played together, fought each other, smile together, took up for each other, and walked to school together, he was to me honesty, humble, quiet, and easy going. Some people didn't live close as we did, but he shown each of us that he was a friend. A wonderful soul he was and he will be dearly missed. Know that he is with the Lord. Cherish his memories and the good times you all had with him. How blessed we all were to have him in our around us even for a moment. Keeping you in my prayers. Sallie Holmes-Gray (Gordon)
Praise God. There are a lot of things I can say about this man know as Thomas Rorie, T Rorie. All are good. He was a neighbor, classmate, childhood friend, most of all he was a friend. A wonderful soul he was and he will be dearly missed. To the Rorie family, stay strong and know he is with the Lord. Cherish his memories and the good times he shared. He loved his family and friends. May God continue to bless you as you continue on this journey. Rest on, Rest Well Thomas, you were loved and will be missed. Sallie Holmes-Gray (Gordon)
So many positive memories of this Man of God! We will miss the one on one conversations! We missed the family when they moved from Washington State and now we miss him as he moves from Labor to Reward! God's blessings!
Sending our love to Sister Marie and her family during this difficult time. Brother Tom will always be remembered. Donniel & Leticia Chappell
Marie and family; my deepest condolences regarding the loss of your husband. LOADS of prayers and love sent to you. Vivian Kellock
Condolences to the Rorie family. Praying 🙏 God comfort each of you during this difficult time. Sorry for the loss of your loved one.
James Tanner
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
