P J Thomas, Sr.

Suffragan Bishop PJ Thomas Sr. was born to the late Marion and Laura (Rathers) Thomas on September 23, 1939, in Shelby County, Alabama. He is the third of ten siblings, seven precede him in death. He attended Prentice High School. Suffragan Bishop PJ Thomas Sr. married Mary Queen Evans on October 23, 1958. With this union birthed ten children, five recedes him in death; Arthur, Terence, Benetha, Anthony and Laura and one grandson, Tramaine Thomas.

Bishop Thomas was baptized and got saved in 1973 under the leadership of Pastor Otis Allen at Emmanuel Temple Holiness Church, later under the leadership of Bishop Herron Johnson and Bishop William Fitts Sr. where he eventually taught Sunday School. In 1986 Bishop Thomas started his own ministry and became pastor of Pentecostal Church of Christ in Columbiana, AL for over twenty years until his health declined him. Later he closed his church and started in fellowship with Bishop Johnny Harris and then moved his membership to Apostolic Way of Life in leadership of the late Pastor Mary Cooper and later Pastor Mary McNeal where he continued to worship.

Bishop Thomas worked various jobs throughout his life, mainly in the food industry such as; A&P Food Center in Alabaster, AL and Joy Food Center in Columbiana, AL. He had a passion for helping people in his community and with that he partnered with Donald Smith with Mana Ministries, which serves food and supplies to families in need. Working with this organization earned them a Humanitarian and UPS Award and they were on the inside feature of Ebony Magazine in 2002.

Cherishing precious memories, he leaves; two sons, PJ (Pamela) Thomas Jr. –Salem, AL, Danny (Dana) Thomas- Columbiana, AL, three daughters; Antoinette, Carla and Lucinda of Alabaster, Al. Grandchildren; Jarmaine, Antwain, Kenesha, Elisa, Devin and Elijah Thomas; and three great-grandchildren: Blair, Matthew and Blake; one brother, Bishop David (Cynthia) Thomas and one sister, Lou Ella Ward. He also leaves behind a special niece, Diane Hardwick- Winston Salem, NC, two special daughters; Tasha Liffridge and Marlo (Alonzo) Coats; three devoted friends, Albert Jones, Alice Johnson, Reggie Mays and a host of relatives and friends.

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