Deacon Melvin Hennies Thomas, Sr. being obedient he answered the Master's call and departed this earthly life on Monday, March 31, 2014 at Chester Regional Medical Center, Chester, SC.  Born in Chester County on September 2, 1951 he was the son of the late Willie Mack Thomas, Sr., and Naomi Feaster Thomas. Confessing Christ at an early age, Melvin became a member of New Hope Baptist Church where he served faithfully as a Trustee, Church Treasurer and was ordained a Deacon in 2010. He was educated in the public schools of Fairfield County graduating from McCrorey Liston High School in 1969.  He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Winthrop University in 1974. Melvin was employed with Spring's Industries for fifteen years. He was an entrepreneur and sole proprietor of Thomas Pulpwood and Tree Service, Honey-Do Odd Jobs for Cash and M. H. Thomas Scrap Metal Recovery.  In his spare time he enjoyed refinishing antique furniture, playing Billiards and taking care of family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Mack Thomas, Sr., and Naomi Feaster Thomas, two brothers, Edwin Donnie Feaster and Tony F. Thomas. Melvin leaves to cherish his loving memories, his loving and devoted wife of thirty-six years, Valeria Starks Thomas of the home, his son, Melvin Hennies (Carmen) Thomas, Jr., of Greensboro, NC, his daughter, Crystal Necole Thomas of Rock Hill, SC, four brothers, Willie Mack Thomas, Jr., Frederick, MD, Jimmy J. (Ernestine) Thomas, Blair, SC, Charlie Mack Woods Chester, SC, and Jeremiah (Michelle) Thompson, Lithonia, GA, three cousins reared in the home as sisters, Margie B. King, Rock Hill, SC, Bernyce Thompson, Columbia, SC, and Cora J. Tilghman, Dundalk, MD, four sisters-in-law, Dorothy Feaster, Shirley Thomas, Gwendolyn Brown, and Patricia F. Starks all of Chester, SC, special cousins, Jesse (Claudette) Cockrell, Baltimore, Maryland, Shirley Collins, Roger Cockrell both of Dundalk, MD, and John (Jeanette) Cockrell of Fort Washington, MD, father-in-law and mother-in-law, David and Classie Mae Starks, Chester, SC, two brothers-in-law, Bobbie D. Starks, Chester, SC, and James Brown of Richburg, SC, three aunts, Margaret F. Johnson, Chester, SC, Millie F. Koon, Willingboro, NJ, and Delores Starks, Palm Coast, FL, three uncles, George Foster, Joseph Foster both of Baltimore, MD, and Clinton Jacobs of Palm Coast, FL, a close family friend, Jaunika Hall of Frederick, MD, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives  and friends. Family will receive friends at the home 1755 Pressley Road Chester, South Carolina.