Cornelius Louis Thomas

Cornelius Louis Thomas journey began on November 24, 1937 at his birth to his parents Milton L. and Clara B. Thomas in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the middle of five joyous children who grew up to love the Lord in their Christian home. He enjoyed weekly stops for Sabbath School and daily breaks at family worship. His formal Christian education began at Baltimore Junior Academy, where he attended school from the first to the eighth grade. He continued his educational journey and graduated from Oakwood Academy, and furthered his studies at Oakwood College, Morgan State College and Peabody Institute of Music. Cornelius’ wit, charisma and charm won the heart of a beautiful, soft-spoken princess, Viola Jackson. Together they entered Holy Matrimony on March 28, 1959. Throughout the years they added precious cargo; Theron Lorenzo, Deborah Lynn, Cornelius “Leon” and Duane Joel. Cornelius and Viola also trained their children to follow the Christian pathways. He was a great lover of music, endowed with a deep rich tenor voice and a keen natural ability for music. His gift was first discovered when he was asked to sing the son, “I Love Life” at his eighth grade graduation at Baltimore Junior Academy. This occasion was the beginning of his life long ministry of music. At the age of twenty-one, he was the youngest director of the Berea Temple SDA Church Senior Choir. As a student at Oakwood College he was a member of the Vibratones Male Chorus. In the fall of 1972, the pregnant sounds and birth of the” Cornelius Thomas Chorale” burst forth in its infancy with the songs of praise that lid dormant in the hearts of some of the young adult membership of Berea Temple SDA Church. This group came in second place at the “First Kentucky Fried Chicken Gospel Music Competition” at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Cornelius pilgrimage and toil on this earth included working for many years at the United States Post Office. After leaving the Post Office, he began working as a cab driver. He later owned and operated his CAB business for many years. His greatest enjoyment came from driving his cab and meeting people. Saturday evening, May 18, 2002 Cornelius’s journey ended. Through it all he learned to trust in Jesus, he learned to trust in God. On the eve of his death, Cornelius assured his family with these words, “ If prayers can get you to heaven, then I’ll be there. His memories will continue to live through His loving and devoted wife, Viola (Vi); his four children; Theron (Gwen) of Winston-Salem, NC; Deborah, of Baltimore; Cornelius “Leon” (Crystal) of Harvest, Al and Duane (Joy Anne) of St. Louis, MO; two sisters; Lorraine Ricks of Dallas, TX, and Valerie Baynard (Raymond); one brother, Milton (Doralyn) of the city; three grandchildren, Theron II, Bridget and Joshua; two aunts, Coreania Carter of Jamaica, NY; and Dreece Green of Baltimore; his godmother, Sister Althea Simpson and a host of nephews, nieces, and many other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Cornelius Louis Thomas

November 24, 1937 - March 18, 2002