CONWAY — Dr. Jesse Thomas,

83, of Conway, Ark., went to be with the Lord Friday, July 3, 2020. He was born July 27, 1936, in Gravelly, Ark., to Jessie and Grace Thomas. Jesse was preceded in death by brothers, Hughey Thomas and Joe Thomas, and his parents.

Dr. Thomas was a public school teacher for 9 years and a member of East Side Baptist Church. Dr. Thomas joined the faculty of Central Baptist College in 1969 where he served as chair of the Bible department for 21 years. He also served as an assessment officer and was VP for Academic Affairs. Dr. Thomas was a professor of Science and Bible at CBC for 46 years. He earned an AA degree from Central Bible College, BSE degree in Biology from UCA, MSE degree in Biology from UCA, MS in Biblical Studies from Covenant Theological Seminary and a Doctorate of Ministry from Drew University.

Dr. Thomas has been a minister for 65 years. He has Pastored 13 churches; 12 in Arkansas and one in St Louis, Mo.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 63 years, Betty McCoy Thomas, sons, Gary Wade (Dixie) Thomas and David Mark (Mark) Thomas, daughter, Julie Ann Thomas, grandchildren, Matthew (Margaret) Thomas, Kevin (Laura) Thomas, Brian (Kellye) Thomas, Garrison (Elisabeth) Thomas, Jessica (Adam) Leggett, Daniel (Kyrene) Thomas, Sarah Katherine Thomas; great-grandchildren, Gabrielle Thomas, Watson Thomas, Clark Thomas, Atticus Thomas, Gregory Thomas, Collin Thomas, Darby Thomas and Arthur Thomas. He is also survived by his brother Clifton Thomas and many cherished friends and relatives.

A Graveside service will be held Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at 10 a.m. at Crestlawn Memorial Park, with social distancing required. A Memorial Service is being planned for a later date. Dr. Thomas will lie in state at Roller McNutt Funeral Home, Conway, Ark., on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances be made in the form of contributions to the Jesse Thomas Endowed Scholarship at Central Baptist College, 1501 College Ave., Conway, Ark., 72034, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105.

Online guestbook available at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/conway.