Deacon Millard Thomas

A Life Well Lived: Millard Fillmore Thomas

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.   Though he fall, he shall
not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24
Millard Thomas was the seventh of twelve children born to Reverend  George W. Thomas and Leona
Williams Thomas. He was born in Dayton, Alabama, on March 19, 1926. Before moving to Birmingham,
Alabama, in 1947, family members worked as sharecroppers.
After moving to Birmingham, Alabama, Millard Thomas enlisted in the United States Navy in August 1944 and
served in Maryland, Florida, and Texas. He was honorably discharged in June 1946 with the rank of Stewards
First Mate.  After his discharge, he returned to Alabama and worked various jobs.  It was during this time that
Millard attended the Welch-Burke Vocational and Business College in Birmingham; on June 10, 1948, he
received his mortician diploma. 
Millard Thomas was a part the Southern migration that occurred during the 1940s and 1950s when African
Americans left the South to seek better economic opportunities in the North. In 1948, Millard Thomas was the
first of seven Thomas siblings to migrate to Cleveland, Ohio.
During a 1949 return visit to Birmingham, Alabama, Deacon Thomas' younger sister Margaret introduced him to
Darthis Salfore.  Darthis and Margaret were classmates at Wenonah High School.  Margaret told Darthis, "I want
you to meet my brother, who just got out of the Navy!" Margaret brought Millard around and introduced him to
Darthis.   The love story of Millard and Darthis began.      
On July 10, 1950, Millard received a certificate from the Cleveland National Radio School.  However, steady
employment in the fields that he studied was hard to find.  In 1952, Millard Thomas joined the Merchant
Marines and traveled the "Cleveland to Duluth, Minnesota" route, serving as a second cook. Despite the long
distance between Birmingham and Cleveland, the love between Darthis and Millard blossomed through romantic
love letters, poems, and many road trips. She sent him a Valentine's Day card; Millard responded with a poem
that asked, "Will you be my wife?"  After one year, Millard returned to Alabama and married Darthis on
December 19, 1953. Millard always stated that he wanted to marry Darthis before Christmas, so that she would
"outshine" Christmas.  He often told Darthis, the love of his life, that he married her for the "long haul"!  They
were married for almost seventy-two years.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Upon returning to Cleveland, Millard Thomas supported his family by working several construction and
foundry jobs. In 1961, Millard Thomas was hired by the Cleveland Sanitation Department. During his tenure in
the Department of Sanitation, Millard Thomas rose from the rank of puller to laborer to dispatcher to truck driver
and finally foreman.  Affectionately called "Rev" by his coworkers, Deacon Thomas let his light shine
throughout his career in the Sanitation Department and was respected by his coworkers as a man of God.   After
30 years of faithful service and having earned the job of supervisor, Millard retired in 1991!  He had retired from
his city job longer than he had worked the job!   Providing for his family was very important to Millard.  In
addition to his 9-to-5 job, he worked as a taxi driver.  After purchasing his own van, he made deliveries for
"Fast-Man Delivery," "Rite Quick Delivery and BonnieSpeed Delivery. 
Millard Thomas let his light shine in the community, too.  He served as a trustee on the board of the Civil
Service Employees Association and was active in the neighborhood street club. On December 6, 2008, he was

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presented with a lifetime membership with the Mt. Carmel Lodge 44 A.F.A.M., Cleveland, Ohio.  He was also
honored with the title of 33 rd Degree Mason.
Millard Thomas joined the Unity Baptist Church in 1964. He served in several capacities: member of the
Sanctuary Choir and the Male Chorus, Chairman/member of the Deacon Board, and Sunday School
Superintendent.  Millard graduated from the Progressive Bible Institute with a three-year certificate for
"Christian Training"  in 1989.  Because of his dedicated service to God and the Unity Baptist Church, he earned
the title of Deacon Board Chairperson Emeritus and Sunday School Superintendent Emeritus.   We thank God
for the godly example he set—not only for his family, but for Unity and the surrounding community.
Millard Thomas, a wise, intelligent, and humble man, led by example.   A line from one of his westerns gives a
great picture of the man he was – "no brag, just fact".  He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, he had
something substantial, needed, or profound to say.  His quiet nature did not prevent him from sharing the truth,
correction, and God's instructions. 
Millard loved his family and was proud of them.   Millard and Darthis nurtured their children to pursue their
goals, value education, and to reverence God.   Biblical instruction was not limited to the church setting.  At the
Thomas home, there would be Bible study and quizzes – as a family! The Thomas family is much admired for
their understanding, knowledge, and teaching of the Bible. 
Millard's favorite hobbies were watching westerns, fishing, and baseball.  He was an avid Cleveland sports fan. 
His analytical mind, mechanical skills, and previous studies were perfect for his "tinkering" around the home and
helping the other laborers at Unity Baptist Church!  He was good at math and spelling. History was one of his
favorite topics.  When his wife would attend black history programs and conferences, Millard accompanied her. 
Also, Millard was a poet, and he loved reading poetry.  James Whitcomb Riley, an American poet, was one of
his favorite writers.   During an interview in 2021, Millard shared one of his favorite poems, "Kissing the Rod."
 The poem was the perfect inspiration for that time and during this season, too!

"Remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labour of love,
and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;"

I Thessalonians 1:3

On Sunday, November 2, 2025, Millard Fillmore Thomas completed his journey of 99 years on earth. He
was a great man who loved God, his country, his family, his church, and life.    Although his physical presence
may no longer grace our lives, his spirit will continue to inspire and uplift us. Throughout his life, he held an
unwavering faith in God, which he shared with those who surrounded him.  There is comfort in knowing that
Millard's legacy lives on through the lessons he taught and the love he shared.   He left a lasting impact on all
who crossed his path.  He will not only be missed but also remembered.
Millard was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend George W. Thomas and Leona Williams Thomas; his
daughter, Dr. Sandra Delores Thomas, and his siblings: Evelyn Thomas Owens, George W. Thomas Jr., Ella R.
Thomas Williams, Mable L. Thomas Moseley, Dola R. Thomas Houston, Grady Thomas, Ludie Thomas Spinks,
Glenn M. Thomas, and Margaret Thomas Lynn.
Millard F. Thomas leaves to cherish his memory, celebrate his life, and carry forth his legacy of love and
compassion, his loving wife of 71 years, Minister Darthis Thomas; his children, Reverend Reginia Williams
Arrington (Angus R.), Leonard Fredderick Thomas, Dr. Venetia Denise Thomas, and Reverend Eric Darryl
Thomas; his nine grandchildren: Yvette Catrice Chandler, Janél Renah Chandler, Shanae Denyse Chandler,

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Aerica Thomas, Aerin Thomas, King-David Henry Thomas, Eric Millard-Ervin Thomas, Rayn-Erizel Damian
Thomas and Sandy-Denise Damian Thomas; his nine great-grandchildren: Emari Dezaray Chandler, Dasia
Danae Chandler, Samone Renae Hall, Dorian Phillip Chandler, Orell Dakari Chandler, Layla Renee Hall,
Jazlynn Ranay Hall, Stephon Arnez Chandler and Lamar Curtis Hall Jr.; his sister, Erma L. Thomas Johnson; his
brother, Charlie J. Thomas (Emma); and his sister-in-law, Laverne Thomas; a host of loving nieces, nephews,
cousins, and friends.

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