Son of Isaac Buchannan Thomas and Amanda Serilda "Rillor" Thomas Thomas. O.W. married 1st Vallie Viola Allen in 1907 and had the following children: Julian Leroy, Ruth Willie, Vivian Bernice, Otis William Jr. and Vallie Viola. After Vallie died O.W. married Lillie Florence Kolb on December 12, 1926 and had the following children: Stella Elaine, Joseph Hinkie, John Frank, Charles Lamar, Lorenzo George, Judith Ann and Robert "Bob" Wiley.

The date of death indicated on the marker is 1884. This is incorrect. The correct date is 1885.

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"ORDINATION"
O.W. Thomas

Pineville, La.


This is to certify that brother O.W. Thomas was ordained to the work of the
gospel ministery, by prayer and the laying on of the hands of the eldership,
on March 22, 1918. He was called to ordination by the Pineville Baptist
Church of which he is a member.

The ordaining council was composed of all ordained ministers who were present,
James J. Kendrick, Ford A. Burns, Dr. M.E. Dodd, B.C. Smith, L.A. Sea, B.F.
Wallace, M.W. Solessi, John Henry Smith, J.T. Brown, H.B. Mercer, and L.C.
Smith who after a deliberate and thorough examination of the candidate
cordially recommended him for ordination.

Our beloved brother, the bearer of this paper, has therefore the entire
approbation of the ordaining council in being publicly set apart to preach
the gospel and administer the ordinances of Christ.

May he like Barabas "be full of the Holy Spirit and of faith" and through
him may "much people be added to the Lord."


Signatures: James J. Kendrick, Mod.
Ford A. Burns, Clerk

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In 1925 O.W. Thomas was the 11th pastor to serve at Mt. Zion Baptist Church located in Red River parish, Louisiana.