Eunice L. Thomas

Eunice Lucretia Thomas We read of a place that's called heaven, it's made for the pure and the free; these truths in God's Word He hath given, how beautiful heaven must be. Eunice Lucretia Thomas, an epitome of these words, was born in Jamaica Crofts Hill on 4th January 1928, the first of four children (2 boys and 2 girls) born to David and Lena O'Connor. Eunice had her basic elementary education at Crofts Hill up to grade 9. She continued to study by private tutelage up to 3rd year College level Jamaica local examinations, this gave her the potential to go to University, this was the qualifying standard for Pre-Teaching Employment. Eunice was employed at this level for three years before migrating to England in August 1953 for her marriage to Rev Herbert Thomas; three weeks after her arrival in England they were married. They were blessed with four girls (Winsome, Beverley, Claudette and Sonia). Eunice was a stay at home mom. Whilst raising her own children, she extended her love to looking after other children when their mothers were working and fostered children including those with health challenges. This was an open house welcoming both family members and friends emigrating from Jamaica as well as strangers who needed a roof. Whilst this was going on Eunice managed to care and nurture her children both in their natural and spiritual needs. Eunice also used her talented fingers and mind in numerous arts and crafts and entrepreneurial skills; rearing, killing and selling chickens, maintaining the small-holding looking after various animals and producing funds to support her husband and family and the education of their children. Eunice was also secretary for her husband's business over the years, she was involved in the Parent Teacher's Association raising funds for the schools that her children attended and often lead in getting funds for the Church. Eunice experienced a minor stroke in the UK which did not seriously affect her ability to function and she soon recovered, She also had major brain surgery from which she recovered well. Eunice was the main stay in helping their four children in wedding planning using her numerous skills in the preparations. Her husband was called into an Evangelism ministry 11 years into their marriage in 1964, Eunice was his hands feet and eyes; she supported him mentally, emotionally and spiritually. She was a unique woman, she loved the Lord and certainly dedicated her life to support his ministry. In all the Pastoral work, Eunice was highly involved in Sunday Worship, Children, Youth, Women and choir ministries. As a couple their ministerial duties in England spanned 1958 to 1981. During this time she supported her husband as he pastored four Churches over a period of 23 years. They both migrated to the United States in 1981 and 1982 respectively and continued to pastor. Between 1982 and 1998 Eunice had a triple bypass and 2 strokes from which she recovered well with only minor issues remaining. A woman of faith, confidence and true knowledge, she experienced many small short-lived episodes of declining health but she continued to show stamina and resilience. Through it all she learned to trust her God and depend on His Word. This life like a mountain railroad with a brave engineer, she had made the run successful from the cradle to the grave, she watched the curves, hills and tunnels, never falter, ever trying and as the song says, "Keep your hands upon the throttle and your eyes upon the rail." These have been Eunice's password over the years. On Wednesday 13th March 2013 Eunice obviously had a premonition, her last activities of the day were house cleaning, collecting vegetables from her husband in the garden and bagged them to give away. She had earlier in the day told a grand-neice who called from Jamaica that it had been a very long time since she had felt so well in her body. S

Eunice L. Thomas

December 31, 1926 - March 17, 2013