Page 3 - The Fayetteville Press Newspaper May 2024 Edition

The Fayetteville Press May 17, 2024 Edition Page 3a

The Life and Legacy of Truman Marsh Thames

On December 2, 2023, at 6:15 a.m, TRUMAN Laymen’ League and served on the Senior Board of the Union of
MARSH THAMES transitioned from this earthly world by Union Association. His fraternal an social activities include A.J.
leaving his physical body and ascending to his heavenly home. Henderson Masonic Lodge, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc .. Zeta
The youngest of four siblings, Truman Marsh Thames was Beta Sigma Chapter; and previously served on the Board of Direc-
born December 16, 1934, to the late Joseph Franklin Thames, tors of Maranatha Ministriies Additionally, he was a co-founder of
Sr. and the late Katie Rebecca Williams Thames. On April 19, the Deep Creek Road Community Organization and on the local
1959, he married Coreather Battle and to this union four chil- civic organizations. As a resident at Pruitt Health-Carolina Point,
dren were born. Reared by parents and a family deeply Durham, NC, he wa instrumental in the implementation of Praise at
grounded in their Christian faith; Truman accepted Christ at Pruitt, Saturday church services.
the young age of 13 and became a member of the family and Truman was preceded in death by the love of his life, Coreather
community church, Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Battle Thames; one son, Truma: Antonio Thames; his parents, Jo-
Truman served God and remained a faithful member until his seph Franklin Thames Sr. and Katie Rebecca Williams Thames
health failed. Even then, he would occasionally make his way brother, Joseph Franklin Thames (Fannie Mae Devane Thames)
from Durham, North Carolina to attend Sunday services un- one sister, Rebecca Thame Codgell, (Rev. Herman Cogdell); daugh-
til he departed this earthly world at Duke Hospital in Durham, ter-in-law, Cartaveta Belcher Thames; sisters-in-law Dozella Battle
North Carolina. Bullock (Jonah Bullock),Viola Battle Branch (Samuel Branch), Elsie
Truman was educated in the Cumberland County Schools Battle Wade and Sally Ward Battle; brothers-in-law, Albert Cox,
and graduated from Armstrong High School. Prior to earning Clifton Battle (Regina Stanley Battle) Cary Lee Battle, William T.
a Bachelor ofEducation degree in 1956 from Fayetteville State Pratt, and Tom Wade.
University, he served a short time in the United States Army. Deacon Thames will be truly missed. His legacy of family,
He succeeded in several occupations: teacher in Warren church and community service will be remembered. He leaves to
County, Georgia; construction worker, newspaper deliverer cherish his memories: two sons, Tyrone Marash Thames (Brenda
as a child and then as an adult with his children, modular Ballard Thames) of California and Joseph Rufus (Joey) Thames of
home salesman (Carolina Model Homes), paneling maker Fayetteville, North Carolina; daughter Shellametta Elizabeth Thames
(Fayetteville Face Veneer). His expert cooking skills were Hollis (Alan Hollis) of Apex, North Carolina; daughter-in-law”
inspired by his wife’s tutelage before receiving additional Truman Marsh Thames Donna Pettis Thames of Fayetteville, North Carolina; sister, Vera
training. He served as a Lobster House cook and Regional Thames Pratt of Fayetteville North Carolina; sister-in-law, Bemell
Chef trainer for Days Inn. He and Coreather enjoyed serving Battle Lewis (Richard); brothers-in-law, Berry Battle and Willis
others through food. As a shoe repairman, alongside his wife As the youth advisor, he was instrumental in bringing the first summer lunch program to Battle (Shirley Lawson Battle); 13 grandchildren, Diana Thames,
at Service Shoe Shop, their own business, they provided Good Hope Baptist Church. He and Coreather established the Scholarship Program for Valerie Thames, Michelle Thames, Sheila Thames, Sherrianita Pitts,
Christian fellowship, a listening ear and shoe makeover ser- highschool and college students after their last child graduated from college in 1986. After Candice Thames, Dr. Tyrone Thames Jr. (Brittany White Thames),
vices. Their motto: Saving Soles/Souls. Deacon Thames or her passing, he was instrumental in naming the scholarship program, The Coreather B. Truman Thames (Ajasha Smith Thames), Easter Thames, Brennetta
Deacon Truman (his names of preferences) devoted his life Thames Scholarship Fund. While Chairman of the Deacon Board, he also further united Thames, Antonio Thames, Alexis Hollis and Erica Hollis; eight great-
to serving God through Church and Community. communities by organizing Good Hope’s Senior Day and reinvigorating the church’s Laymen’s grandchildren; 61 nieces and nephews, a myriad of greats, numer-
His love for children and seniors could be seen in his League as its president. He was the Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts, Young Adult Class ous cousins and a host of friends.
actions. As a youth, he was active in the choir, usher board.and Sunday School teacher, Foreign an Home Mission member, usher, and Baptist Training
youth groups. At the recommendation of the late Pastor A.C. Ministry leader. Deacon Thames served on the building committee throughout the growth Serviced Entrusted To: Wiseman Mortuary, INC.
Moore, he was ordained.as a deacon in the early sixties and of the old and new buildings. 413 Cumberland Street * Fayetteville, NC 28301
continued to serve in other numerous and various positions. Locally, Truman served as 3rd Vice President of the Union of Union Association (910) 483-7111