Ms. Evangeline Willis Thomas

Evangeline Willis Thomas was born in Sumter, South Carolina on August 10, 1948. She was the first child born to the late Levan and Rebecca Geddis Willis. She departed this life on Thursday, May 30, 2024. She was married to Anderson B. Thomas and with this union they have two sons.
Evangeline accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at an early age and became a life member of Saint James United Methodist Church, Sumter, South Carolina. She loved her church. She was very active in the community (Pinedale Community Club), American Legion Auxiliary Post #202, and family reunions.
She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1967 and attended Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina. She worked at Sumter Parks and Recreation and in the Sumter School District for over thirty years. She retired and later returned as a Paraprofessional for a short time.
Evangeline was a storyteller. She would ask the children, "Who wants to go to story lane with me?" She gave them the rules and they all wanted to go. Evangeline composed several poems; a special one was sent to the former President of the United States, Barack Obama. President Obama responded with a letter of gratitude.
Evangeline seventieth birthday celebration, the former Mayor Joseph T. McElveen, Jr., declared August 10, 2018, as Evangeline Willis Thomas Day in the City of Sumter, South Carolina.
She loved shopping and was a fashionista (a person who follows trends in the fashion industry and continually adopts the latest fashions).
She took joy in serving her community through many unseen acts of kindness. She was a caring and giving person. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and church.
Evangeline leaves to cherish her memories; two sons, Anderson Bernard (Elenora) Thomas, and Kenneth Eugene (Mackenzie) Thomas, both from Dalzell, S.C.; four grandchildren; Bernard, Be'yonce, Breonna, Kynnedi; one great-grand, Sylas; one sister, Doris Willis Harvin, Fayetteville, N.C., and one brother, George L. (Angeletta) Willis, Lexington, S.C.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
Evangeline was preceded in death by her sister, Beatrice Willis Dwyer and one brother-in-law, Easley Harvin.