His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. – Matthew 25:23

Rev. N. Charles Thomas loved the Lord and dedicated his life in service to the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church and its people. Humble, gentle, wise, and led by faith, Rev. Thomas assisted, uplifted, mentored, and counseled countless individuals and families and was beloved by all who knew him.

One of 11 children born to the Rev. Willie James Thomas, a CME minister for 53 years, and Linnie Elias Thomas, in Jonesboro, AR, "N. Charles" graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Jonesboro, attended Mississippi Industrial College in Holly Springs, and ultimately completed his master of divinity degree at Lincoln University in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, during which time he was an exchange student at Lancaster Theological Seminary for one year.

In 1961, he married Juanita Fannie Jefferson, who departed this life for her eternal home in January of 1970. They were blessed with two children, Gina Charlise and Nathaniel Charles, Jr. He later married Mary Elizabeth Green in 1972 and became a father to Keith Anthony. Mary Thomas departed this life for her eternal home on October 3, 2015.

Although he pastored numerous churches over more than 50 years in Washington, DC, Tennessee, and Arkansas, including Cottrell Chapel CME Church in Hot Springs, Rev. Thomas distinguished himself in a number of administrative positions throughout his career. Bishop B. Julian Smith recognized his potential at an early age and selected him as his administrative assistant, a position he held for two decades. He went on to serve as Presiding Elder of the South Memphis district for three years, Director of the annual CME Convocation for 20 years, Chief Secretary of the General Conference for 12 years, and General Secretary, General Board of Personnel Services of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church for 24 years, where he established the CME Retirement Plan for clergy, as well as the CME Fire and Casualty Plan for churches.

In 1981, with close friends and members of his congregations, Rev. Thomas founded and led the Faith–Sharing and Witness Fellowship Group, interdenominational faith community committed to prayer, bible study, and friendship. Through the Sharing Group, a number of individuals have been called to the ministry, and the group continues to meet and minister through the present day.

After he retired in 2002, Rev. Thomas continued to serve as president of the CME Community Development Corporation, on the board of Collins Chapel Hospital Healthcare Center, with the Urban League, and as a golden heritage member of the NAACP. The awards, honors, and citations he garnered throughout his career are too numerous to mention.

Rev. Thomas is survived by his three children, Gina Thomas, Rev. Keith Thomas (Lori), and N. Charles Thomas, Jr. (Eric Miranda); two grandchildren, Faith Thomas and Hope Thomas; his two loving sisters, Lottie Mae Wright and Eva Thomas; a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws, and cousins; and countless CME colleagues, former parishioners, and dear friends whose lives he touched.

Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at Cottrell Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church 698 East Grand Ave, Hot Springs, AR.  Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service.  Private burial will be held in Friendship Cemetery.

Guest registry is at http://www.carriganmemorial.com.