Prominent Portsmouth bishop a driver of both faith and the people
Whether in a church or a school, he was ‘called to lead people’
PORTSMOUTH — From Portsmouth’s churches to Richmond’s legislative chambers, Bishop Ted G. Thomas Sr. was revered across Virginia.
Thomas died June 24. He was 84.
For decades, he served as pastor of New Community Temple Church of God in Christ in Portsmouth and St. Stephens Church of God in Christ in Virginia Beach. Thomas also was an educator, having taught math for Norfolk Public Schools and Norfolk State University, according to a biography shared by his family.
“You knew this guy was called to lead people,” said Kenny Wright, who was mayor when Portsmouth’s City Council unanimously renamed a portion of Tyre Neck Road after Thomas in 2015. “He walked the walk and he didn’t talk a lot of drama.”
Wright described Thomas as a “gentle giant,” a modest man who wielded great influence over a massive congregation of followers. Under his leadership, the Historic First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Virginia of the Church Of God in Christ grew from 18 churches to more than 50, according to its website.
The Church of God in Christ identifies itself as the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States, with millions of mostly African American members. It has congregations in nearly 112 countries around the world.
Del. Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, shared similar memories, calling Thomas “very humble.”
“He was our hero,” said his son, Christopher B. Thomas, who, like his father and brothers, pursued religion. “He taught us to believe.”
He was also a mentor to many who opened their own churches under his guidance, such as Willie Bamberg, who serves as pastor at Portsmouth’s Judah Sanctuary Church of God in Christ.
“I’m from South Carolina, and he was a country boy like myself,” Bamberg said, reminiscing over a day when he saw Thomas playing an organ. “We both enjoyed simple country living.”
Congregant Jessie B. Hill said Thomas was more than a pastor. He also drove people to church and served as choir director.
“He denied nothing to the Lord,” she said. “He did whatever he could to serve.”
A wake service is scheduled for 5 to 9 p.m. July 10 at St. Stephen’s Church of God in Christ in Virginia Beach, 189 S. Birdneck Road. A funeral service is set for noon the next day at New Community Temple Church of God in Christ in Portsmouth, 3615 Tyre Neck Road. He will be buried at Carver Memorial Cemetery in Suffolk, 2320 E. Washington St.
For more than 20 years, Thomas sat on the Advisory Committee for the Bank of the Commonwealth. He was board chairman of the Cedar Road Branch and ViceChairman of the Advisory Board for branches of the Bank of the Commonwealth.
During that time, he was credited for helping other pastors, some of different jurisdictions and reformations, get financing to expand their churches. He was also the co-owner of the cemetery where he will be buried.
“He was a bishop of the old school,” said state Sen. Lionell Spruill, D-Chesapeake. “He put a lot of emphasis on getting kids educated.”
And he advocated about the importance of voting, Spruill said, regardless of political party or candidate.
Born in Raeford, North Carolina, Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in math from Norfolk State University and a master’s from Hampton University. He also earned a Doctorate of Divinity degree from Trinity Hall College before studying at the Moody Bible Institute, Old Dominion University, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, and the College of William & Mary.
Thomas lived in Portsmouth with his wife, Charletta Virginia Clifton Thomas. Together, they raised six sons.
“He always had a smile on his face,” said Del’Micia Elliott, whose great-grandmother, Hattie Bremby, is the oldest member of his Portsmouth church. “He was a great man.”
On a phone call with The Virginian-Pilot, Bremby, who is hard of hearing, told Elliott that “he knew how to talk to people and treat them.”
“What else, grandma? Do you remember some things he did in the church that you loved?”
A pause, then the faint murmur of Bremby’s voice.
“She said when she heard him preach, she always felt happy.”