Deacon Dellmon P. Thomas Sr.

Deacon Dellmon P. Thomas, Sr. “Dell”, 96, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Riverside Regional Medical Center.  He was one of 10 children born to the late James Willie and Mary Lee Thomas in York County, VA.

At an early age, he accepted Jesus Christ at Cary’s Baptist Church in Yorktown, VA.  He later became a deacon and has served as Chairman of the Deacon Board during his tenure.  Dell also taught Sunday School classes, attended prayer meetings, and was active in many church activities.  On August 30, 1950, Dell married Lorriane, and they were together for 61 years until her death.

Dell graduated from the York County Training School.  He then became a carpenter, building residential houses, including those for family members, and public schools, until he joined Newport News Shipbuilding.  After 41 years of continuous service, Dell retired from Newport News Shipbuilding as a First-class Specialist Machinist and worked in the Steel Fabrication Shop.  During his time at the shop, he was one of the few employees who had the skills to operate the machinery used to bend and form the structural steel rings for Navy submarines.  He took pride in his knowledge, skills, craftsmanship, and accomplishments.  Because he loved to work and wanted to ensure his family was well taken care of, he also worked part-time in the Hampton Public School System for many years.

Deacon Thomas found great joy working with his hands.  Whether working at his place of employment, tending a large vegetable garden, doing yard work, or repairing things around the home.  He took pride in creating, restoring, and making things better than he found them.  His hands were rarely still, and his work was done with care, patience, and purpose.  Working with his hands continued through his retirement years until he could no longer physically do it due to his condition.  Everyone would see Dell either in his garden or in the yard for hours. As he became older, he had special “breaktime” areas set up in certain locations around his yard so that he could rest a while.

Laughter was one of Dell’s greatest gifts.  He had a warm, infectious sense of humor that filled places that lightened burdens.  Time with him was often marked by shared stories, gentle jokes, and moments that reminded everyone not to take life too seriously.

Above all, Deacon Thomas will be remembered for his servant heart, steady presence, and the love he shared so freely with family, church family, friends, and neighbors.  His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the things he built and repaired, the gardens he nurtured, and the faith in God that guided him throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine, Dellmon P. Thomas, Jr., seven brothers (James Willie Thomas, Matthew Thomas, Jr., Archie Thomas, John Thomas, Sr., Lloyd Thomas, Sr., Louis Thomas, Sr., and Franklin Thomas, Sr.); and two sisters (Rosetta Thomas Washington and Burnette Thomas).  Dell leaves to cherish his memories by his children, Loretta D. Thomas-Pierce (Charles), Timothy A. Thomas, Sr., and Jerome Thomas; one daughter-in-law, Pam Thomas; one sibling, Ernestine Thomas (Evelyn); three sisters-in-law, Dorthea Thomas, Louise Jones, and Gayle Wynder; 10 grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, great-great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

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