Norman Harold Thomas Sr

Dr. Norman H. Thomas, Sr. departed this earthly life and went to his heavenly home on Sunday, February 19, 2023. He was born to the late Rudolph Thomas and Vivian Taylor Thomas on July 27, 1943, in Waycross, Georgia. He met and married the love of his life, Inez Davis Thomas, on November 1,1968. To this union that spanned 54 years, two children were born: Angela and Norman, Jr. Dr. Thomas was a graduate of Morehouse College, from which he received the B.A. Degree in History in 1965. In 1968 and 1976, respectively, he received the M.A. and Ed.D. degrees in Educational Administration and Supervision from Atlanta University. In the early stages of his career, he taught Social Studies in the Atlanta Public School System. He moved up through the ranks to become Curriculum Coordinator, Director of Community Outreach and Executive Director of School Services which included nutrition, transportation and safety. After more than 37 stellar years of service, he retired from the Atlanta Public Schools in 2004. Dr. Thomas was the former Vice President for Education of the National PTA. He was also the first African American President of the Georgia PTA and the first man in the history of the National PTA to be elected as chairman of the State Presidents’ Conference. He served as chairman of the Big City Conference, a member of the National PTA Commission on Education and the Communications Committee. He was awarded an Honorary Life Membership by the Georgia PTA in 1978 and a National Life Membership in 1987. He also received Honorary Life Memberships from 15 other states. He had over 30 years of PTA experience and, during his tenure as State President, the Georgia PTA membership increased to over 300,000 members for the first time in its history. In 1989, the Atlanta Council of PTA’s honored Dr. Thomas by establishing The Norman H. Thomas Scholarship for deserving graduating seniors in the Atlanta Public Schools. Dr. Thomas was the Author of Stress Management - A Family Affair and was a stress management consultant. He provided stress management guidance to such groups as the Georgia State Patrols; AT&T; National Health Service Corps; National Pupil Transportation Association; National Mortgage Bankers Association; Georgia Department of Corrections; Metro-Atlanta Law Enforcement Officers; Atlanta Public Schools; Cobb, Rockdale and Glynn County Public Schools’ Bus Drivers and Administrators and the Georgia PTA Leadership Development Conference. Professional, educational, civic and social memberships included the American Association of School Administrators, National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE), Morehouse College Alumni Association, Phi Delta Kappa, the NAACP, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He was given the Scholar of the Year Award by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in 1965, and the Atlanta Jaycees named him one of Five Outstanding Young Men of Atlanta in 1977. He received the Meritorious Service Award from the American Heart Association in 1978 and the “1988 Delta Torch Award in Education” from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia. He also received the Outstanding Educator of the Year and Citizen of the Year awards from two different Metro Atlanta graduate chapters (Atlanta and Decatur) of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in 1987. He received over 300 plaques and other expressions of recognition. A true servant of God, Dr. Thomas was active at the Greater Tavelers’ Rest Baptist Church for over 20 years where he served as Chairman of the Deacons’ Ministry and was chosen “Father of the Year” in 1989. In 2011, he joined First Baptist Church on Gresham Road in Atlanta where Rev, Norman Thomas, Jr. is the pastor. He served with the Deacons’ Ministry and was responsible for training candidates for that ministry. He also taught New Member Orientation, Brotherhood and Deacons’ ministry classes. He loved the Lord and shared his love with people from all walks of life. A favorite expression of his was telling everyone that he met to “Live in your sunshine!” He did just that until God called him home early on Sunday morning, February 19, 2023. Dr. Thomas is survived by his loving wife, Inez Davis Thomas; a daughter, Angela Thomas Bethea (James) of Stone Mountain, Georgia; a son, Rev. Norman Thomas, Jr. (Rondah) of Conyers, Georgia; six grandchildren: Lauren, Norman III, Lindsay, and Londyn Thomas; and James and Erin Bethea; one brother, CSM (retired) Franklin Delano Thomas (Patricia) of Conyers, Georgia; a special sister, Karen Baily of Lithonia, Georgia; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, godchildren, unofficially adopted children and mentees. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph Thomas, Sr. and Vivian Taylor Thomas; and two brothers, Rudolph, Jr. and Jasper Thomas. Sadly, his sister, Valencia Solomon, of Waycross, Georgia, was called home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Because of his enormous influence and the number of people impacted by his life and service, he leaves many extended family members, church members, and friends who mourn his passing. But they are all comforted in knowing that Dr. Thomas (Norman, Unc, Chip, Papa T., Pop Pop) has moved to his eternal home and that he has left a legacy of wisdom, love, service, and leadership to all whose lives have been touched by this Giant of a Man. To GOD be the glory; great things He has done!!

Tributes

Norman Harold Thomas Sr

July 27, 1943 - February 19, 2023