Deacon Emma Lou Thomas entered this world on March 31, 1928 in Sumter County. She was born the 5th of fourteen children to Henry Lesane, Sr. and Agnes Watson Lesane. She was married in 1958 and was blessed with two children. After a short illness, she departed this world on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at Providence Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, and is now resting peacefully in the arms of the Lord.

As a child, Ms. Thomas was educated at Goodwill School in Mayesville, South Carolina where she and her sister played basketball on the Goodwill School ladies' basketball team under the direction of Coach C. B. Hudley.

Her undergraduate studies were first pursued at Barber-Scotia College in Concord, North Carolina and later attended and graduated from Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education.

She resided in Manhattan, New York and entered the workforce and continued employment there for several years. She returned to South Carolina and pursued her passion for teaching in the Dillon County School System. She taught fourth and fifth grades in Dillon County for numerous years until she retired in 1971 and relocated to the Mayesville/Lynchburg area.

She re-entered the workforce in the Sumter County School District by serving as a substitute teacher at Mayesville Elementary School. She later pursued her passion for cooking by working in food service at Georgia Pacific Company until she pursued employment in food services at Campbell Soup Company in Sumter, South Carolina.

At an early age, Ms. Thomas accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and became a member of Goodwill Presbyterian Church, where she served until her death. She was a long-standing member, serving faithfully on the Deacon Board, the Usher Board, the Sanctuary Choir and fulfilling the role as a mentor for the church's Summer School Program.

Her civic and community activities included Eastern Star Chapter 355 from 1979 – 2005, Queen of Lynchburg Chapter 247 since 2005, Foster Parent with the South Carolina Department of Social Services, a member of the Missionary Society, and a dedicated worker and leader of the Lesane Family Kinfolk Club.

Ms. Thomas was passionate about many things in her enjoyment of life. She loved the Lord and was most passionate about her family and close friends. She had an unbreakable willingness to serve others and many looked up to her, including her two children who were honored to call her mother. Although petite and small in size, she was a stylish dresser with a large and beautiful smile. She loved to cook and many have enjoyed the pleasure of wonderful coconut and sweet potato pies. She was a sweet, pleasant and proud lady who was held in high esteem by her family, friends, church members, and all who were blessed to know her. She radiated goodness, never met a stranger and never had an enemy.

The light of this beloved woman will shine through her two children: Patricia (Darrel) Fitch of Columbia, South Carolina and David (Mary)Thomas of Lynchburg, South Carolina. Other relatives she leaves to mourn include: Two sisters, Nellie James of Miami, Florida and Wilhelmenia Titus of Mayesville, South Carolina; Six brother, Henry (Delores) Lesane Jr., of Washington, D.C.; John Westley Lesane of Sumter, SC; Willie Oneal (Vernice) Lesane, Eddie (Minnie) Lesane, and Jerry (Virginia) Lesane of Lynchburg, SC; Four grandchildren (Latisha, Keisha, Tyvisha, Michael) and five great-grandchildren (Kishauna, Jaylen, Dreshawn, Journey, and Callie); a host of nieces and nephews and other close relatives and friends.

Public Viewing will be held on Friday, August 18, 2017 from 3-6pm at Job's Mortuary.

Ms. Thomas will be placed in the church on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 10am for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 11am at Goodwill Presbyterian (USA) Church, (USA), 295 N Brick Church Rd., Mayesville, SC 29104, Rev. Richard Dozier, Officiating.

Interment will follow in Mayesville Community Cemetery.

Family will receive friends at the home, 1110 Lesane Pressley Lane, Lynchburg, SC 29080.