Dr. Lowell J. Thomas

Rev. Dr. Lowell James Thomas, the fifth of seven children was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on May 28, 1933 to the late Bessie Lucille and Freeman M. Thomas. Lowell lost his mother at a young age. Brought up in an Apostolic Pentecostal home, he was baptized at an early age and received his salvation under the power of the Holy Ghost. He departed this life on June 25, 2024. On May 9, 1959, he married Annie Lee Sparks, and God blessed them with three children: Kim Andréa, Lowell James, Jr., and Leslie Anne. During their marriage they lived in Washington, DC; Guadalajara, Mexico; El Paso, Texas; Detroit, MI, and finally Pittsburgh, PA. Married for 61 years, Annie preceded him in death in 2020. Lowell was graduated from Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh, PA. He attended Eastern Michigan University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master of Arts Degree in Education. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. For ten years Lowell was a science teacher with the Detroit Public Schools. Later he moved his family to Guadalajara, Mexico where he studied medicine at the Universidad Autonoma De Guadalajara, obtaining his Medical Degree. He then practiced medicine in Mexico, Texas, Michigan, and Erie, PA. Having a call upon his life to preach the gospel, and a request by his father, the late Bishop FM Thomas, to assist him as pastor, Lowell left his medical practice and moved to Pittsburgh. For over 35 years, Dr. Lowell Thomas has been the Senior Pastor of Greater Bethlehem Temple. For the last few years, he along with his pastoral team, has worked with renewed vision and great “anticipation” on the Greater Bethlehem Temple restoration project. Lowell was also a gifted artist, in painting, sculpture, music, and poetry. One of his poems, published in anthologies, we share. *** Lowell leaves to celebrate his home going: his children, Kim-Andréa Richardson (Nathaniel); Lowell James Thomas, Jr. (Maria); Leslie AnneThomas Murphy (Stevie); grandchildren Alexis, Nichole, Desaray, Delano, Jessica, and Kristopher; great grandchildren Alvin, Robbie, Emanuel, Marvin, Conner, Alani, Michael, Kristopher, Annie, Roland, Samuel, Genesis, Kristopher “Dub” Sherman II, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, dear friends, and his beloved English Bulldog, Small Henry.

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