And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be nor more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelations 21:4Our hearts are deeply saddened but we know that earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. We are grateful for the time we shared with him and pause to pay tribute and join in the homegoing celebration for the man we know and love, James Edward “Bay Bay” Thomas.James E. Thomas, was born in Hartsville, SC on February 6, 1945 to the late William and Daisy McPhail Thomas. He was educated in Darlington County School District and was a 1962 graduate of Butler High School. He graduated from Johnson C. Smith University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He later received a Master’s Degree in School Counseling and Administrative certification from South Carolina State University. In 1966, he was drafted in the U.S Army where he served until 1968 upon which time he returned to South Carolina and went to work at the Darlington Recreation Department. In the Fall of 1968, he began his career as a teacher at Rosenwald High School and then St. John’s High School. He later went to work at Butler High School as a teacher, coach and school counselor. In 1982 he transferred Hartsville Jr. High School as a teacher and coach. In 1987, he furthered his career as an Assistant Principal at St. John’s High School, then to Lamar High School. In 1993, he was named Principal of Hartsville Jr. High School where he served until his retirement. In 2004, he began a second career when he was appointed magistrate in the county of Darlington. He served in that capacity until 2015.Mr. Thomas met the love of his life, Maureen Veronica Wilson, in 1969 and they married on August 21, 1971. This union was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Meredith Veronica and Errin Elaine. James and Maureen joined Centenary United Methodist Church in 1986. There he served in various roles including treasurer, trustee, United Methodist Men and men’s choir member until his health declined. He also served as a member of the Coker College Board of Trustees, Mt. Rona Lodge #348 and a member of Twenty Grand. Mr. Thomas departed this life on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 after an extended illness. His presence will surely be missed by all who knew and loved him but comfort is found in the thoughts of no more pain and suffering!He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Maureen Wilson Thomas of the home, two daughters, Dr. Meredith (Ray) Taylor of Hartsville, SC, Errin (Rick) Forges of Charlotte, NC; chosen children, April McPherson, Florence, SC, Julius McPherson, Hartsville, SC; mother-in-love, M. Veronica Wilson, Hartsville, SC; brother, William “Bill Jr.” (Jeanette) Thomas, Jr., Waterbury, CT, sister, Gretel (Alphonso) James, Temple Hills, MD; three brothers-in-law, Major General Ret. Cornell (Mary) Wilson, Charlotte, NC, Dr. Gerald (Antona) Wilson, Columbia, SC, Dr. Dennis (Versie) Wilson, Columbia, SC; five grandchildren, RJ Forges, Alexa Forges, Daniel Taylor, Andrew Blakney, Tyra Jefferson; goddaughters, Monique J. Douglas, Summerville, SC, Danielle Wilson, Miami, FL, Gaby Wilson, Washington, DC; special friends, Baxter Curry, Hartsville, SC, Arthur T. Douglas, Florence, SC, Charles Pearson, Hartsville, SC, Charles Douglas, Hartsville, SC, Judge Clarence James, Society Hill, SC; special daughters, Mrs. Angela K. Jacobs, Lamar, SC, Pastor Kizzy McDonald, Timmonsville, SC special sons, Pastor Collins Days, Atlantic City, NJ, Pastor John K. White, Newark, NJ, Mr. Russell James, Lamar, SC and a host of other close relatives and very dear friends.