Herman Derrell Thomas

Service will be held at 2:00 pm, Monday, January 5, 2025, from McClain-Hays Chapel with the burial to follow in the Ocobla cemetery. Rev. Gary Killen will officiate. Visitation will be from 12:30 pm Monday until service time at McClain-Hays.

Herman Derrell Thomas, a native of Neshoba County, was born on January 25, 1935, to Hermon Leon Thomas and Flora Ervine Lundy. He attended and graduated from Bloomo High School in Philadelphia, MS. After graduation, Derrell attended East Central Community College, where he obtained a scholarship to play basketball. Derrell and his teammates played extremely well, and in 1954, they finished fourth overall nationwide in their division. Derrell worked for the MS Department of Transportation in Jackson, MS, where he met the love of his life, Cathy, on a blind date. He completed his bachelor’s degree at Livingston State University in Livingston, AL. He was walking down the hall of one of the buildings on campus when he saw a sign on the door encouraging students to participate in interviews. On a whim, he sat down for an interview and ended up being offered a job working at International Paper Company, or “IP”. He worked at IP for 34 years, beginning in Mobile, AL, transferring to Bastrop, LA, for 13 years, in Natchez, MS, for 10 years, and finally, ending his career back in Mobile in retirement in 19 years.

He is survived by his loving wife of over 66 years, Catherine Renfroe Thomas(Mobile, AL), daughter Karen Thomas (Brandon, MS), son-in-law Charles Stephens (Natchez, MS), sister Helen Blalock (Clinton, MS), and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his daughter Sonya Thomas Stephens, sister Lillian Killen, and brother Robert Thomas.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800 (615) 564-5000