Rev. Donnell "Don" H. Thomas

Donnell “Don” H. Thomas, a devoted servant of Jesus Christ and a pillar of the Cumberland Presbyterian (CP) Church, passed away in the company of family at his son’s home in Scottsboro, Alabama, on January 23, 2026. Don was born on March 30, 1932, in McKenzie, Tennessee. He was 93 years old at his death. Don was raised in the heart of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; his father, the Rev. Dr. L.L. Thomas, served as a Bible professor and later President of Bethel College (University). At that time both the CP Church’s college and seminary were located in McKenzie. Don’s early years were filled with small-town adventures in Tennessee and Texas, as well as musical and art pursuits. After graduating from Spring Hill High School in Longview, Texas, he attended Kilgore Junior College, where he played the flute and piccolo in the college’s dance band for the Kilgore Rangerettes. However, answering a call to ministry led him back to Bethel College. It was there, while standing in the “T” registration line, that he met Ann Thompson. They graduated together in 1953 and were married on August 21 of that year, beginning a 70-year journey of marriage and ministry. Don graduated from seminary in 1956. In total he dedicated seven decades to pastoring congregations across Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. He served as pastor or interim pastor in twelve different Cumberland Presbyterian churches. Some of his long-term pastorates were at Park Terrace CP Church, Sheffield, Alabama, Fayetteville and Boonshill CP Churches, in Tennessee and Hickory Grove CP Church in Alabama. His ministry was defined by a visionary spirit; he was instrumental in establishing the Liberia, West Africa Presbytery and was a staunch supporter of CP missions and instrumental in establishing two Hispanic CP churches in, North Alabama. Don and Ann were known for their generosity, hospitality and willingness to serve others. Don’s service extended far beyond the pulpit. He was a moderator of various presbyteries and served on many boards and committees. He was a volunteer for the Red Cross, worked with HeadStart and ministers’ associations, Rotary, and Boy Scouts, and he was a tireless advocate for Crystal Springs Camp in Columbia Presbytery. He willingly gave and helped people in need. His adventurous spirit and love for missions took him on several trips to Israel, Haiti, Greece, Liberia, Costa Rica and Colombia. Don and Ann spent an entire summer doing mission work in Haiti. Don and Ann visited Colombia, South American several times to visit their missionary son and experience and encourage the CP Church in Colombia. Outside of his official duties, Don was a man of diverse and technical hobbies. He operated a local public Christian access TV channel, engaged in HAM radio, operated a Christian radio station, worked with computers before they were a household item, established a Christian bookstore, and shared a love for astronomy. One of his more unique passions was his meticulous care for swimming pools; though he rarely swam, he took great joy in ensuring the pools at his church in Sheffield, presbyterial camp, and his home were crystal clean for others to enjoy. Following the death of his beloved Ann in April 2024, Don moved from Birmingham to Scottsboro, Alabama to an assisted living, facility, then a nursing home for a brief period. He spent his final days surrounded by family in his son’s home in Scottsboro. Even as his health and memory faded, his kindness, concern for others and sincere faith remained unshakable. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Ann; his daughter, Mary Thomas Drake; and his son-in-law, George Drake. He is survived by: his son, Rev. Dr. Lynn Thomas and wife, Nona; his brother, Bill Thomas; grandchildren, Aaron Thomas (Esq.), Stephanie Drake, Rev. Micaiah Thomas Tanck, Laura Drake, Desiree Thomas Vogel, and Dr. Caleb Thomas; and six beloved great-grandchildren. Rev. Don Thomas’s celebration of life service will be at the Scottsboro Cumberland Presbyterian Church– on Saturday, January 31, at 11 AM. The family will be at the church to greet family and friends from 10AM-11AM. The address is: 315 S Kyle St, Scottsboro, AL. The cemetery service will be at the Mount Pleasant Cumberland Presbyterian Church’s cemetery outside of Muscle Shoals, Alabama on the same day at 3:30 PM. The address is: 13555 County Line Rd, Muscle Shoals, AL. In lieu of flowers please make contributions in Don Thomas’s honor to the OptIN discipleship program: checks payable to OptIN and mailed to Scottsboro Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 315 S. Kyle St., Scottsboro, AL 35768. Arrangements Entrusted to Scottsboro Funeral Home

Rev. Donnell "Don" H. Thomas

March 30, 1932 - January 23, 2026