Arminia (Smith) Thomas

Arminia Smith Thomas, age 83 of Myrtle Beach, SC; passed away peacefully on Monday, April 14th, 2025 at The Palmettos of Garden City in Garden City, SC.

Arminia was born June 3rd, 1941 in Gray Hawk, KY which was a small unincorporated community of Jackson County, to the late William A. and Mayme Whicker Smith. At the age of 7, her family moved to High Point, NC so her father could work in the furniture industry as a cabinet builder. She grew up in the Hickory Chapel Wesleyan Church in High Point. She was a graduate of Jamestown High School in Jamestown, NC and later went on to major in music at Central Wesleyan College, now known as Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC. There, she met her husband who was a theology major and they were married in 1962. Together, they served the Lord, pastoring in the NC West District of the Wesleyan Church for 44 years, serving in Mocksville, NC, Old Fort, NC and finally in Greensboro, NC at Emmanuel Wesleyan. She taught Adult Sunday School, played the pIano and/or organ for 44 years, and also was very active in children and youth ministries. Arminia always considered being a pastor's wife a calling by God. She taught math in Pickens, SC, Advance, NC and in Mocksville, NC and later became a stay at home mom while her children were young. She was a very talented musician and taught private piano for many years in her home and part time at Old Fort Elementary. She was an excellent cook and her meals were much awaited by her family especially her children and grandchildren. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. After moving to Greensboro, she worked in Accounts Payable for The Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro until her retirement. After her husband's retirement from the Wesleyan Church, they moved to Myrtle Beach, SC. Arminia loved the beach and spent hours at a time sitting in the sun and reading books. She maintained her membership at Emmanuel Wesleyan Church in Greensboro where she called home. She attended First Methodist Church of Myrtle Beach where she enjoyed working at the church thrift store, folding bulletins with her group of ladies, and singing in the choir.

Arminia was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Judy Smith Simpson; a brother-in-law, Joe Simpson; a niece, Jodie Moore Earnest.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Reverend William Ray Thomas of the home; two sons: Craig Thomas and wife Leslie of Myrtle Beach, SC, Eric Thomas and wife Jenny of Sparta, NC; three grandchildren: Hunter Thomas and wife Whittney of Sparta, NC, Parker Thomas of Sparta, NC, Noah Thomas and wife Peyton of Conway, SC; two step-grandchildren: Nate Foster and wife Anna Leigh of Chicago, IL, Brett Foster of Myrtle Beach, SC; two great-grandchildren: Emory Thomas and Porter Thomas; two step-great-grandchildren: Kendallyn Tabor and Everleigh Horton; a sister, Joyce Moore and husband Jim of Liberty, NC; a special niece, Kaci Anderson of New Market, TN; nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends also survive.

Funeral Services to honor the life of Arminia will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, April 24th, 2025 at Emmanuel Wesleyan Church in Greensboro with District Superintendent Reverend Jerry Lumston and Reverend David Albertson officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. A private interment will follow at Hickory Chapel Wesleyan Church Cemetery in High Point, NC. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 26th, 2025 at First Methodist Church of Myrtle Beach with Reverend Joel McMakin officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the Wesley Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be to Emmanuel Wesleyan Church, 3235 Yanceyville Street, Greensboro, NC 27405 or to First Methodist Church of Myrtle Beach: Music Ministries, PO Box 1367 Myrtle Beach, SC 29578.

McMillan-Small Funeral Home and Crematory of Myrtle Beach, SC along with Thomas Family Funeral Service of Sparta, NC are honored to be serving the Thomas Family. If you wish, online tributes may be extended to the family at both www.msfh.net and/or www.thomasfamilyfs.com.

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