Thomas Samuel Stith

Thomas Samuel Stith was born October 14, 1918 in Oregon, Missouri; the second child born to the union of Ernest Leslie and Pearlette Johnson Stith. Thomas attended Barlett High School in St. Joseph, Missouri after a 4 year hiatus because of segregated schools. He was baptized as a teen at First Baptist Church in Oregon, Missouri. As an 11 year old child Thomas helped his father as he made a living in the trucking industry and also began learning the print industry. Thomas moved to Cleveland, Ohio to further his career and received lodging from friends, Deacon Allen and Theessia Tubbs who he met through his parents providing lodging for Brother Tubbs in Missouri. Thomas met his wife Mildred Richard through Deacon Tubbs' daughter Melba Doxey whom he attended Wilberforce College with. Thomas and Mildred were married July 15, 1951. Thomas answered an ad for the War Department in Washington D.C. for a clerk typist. Thomas relocated to pursue a better job, staying there four years. Upon returning to Cleveland for a job offer as linotype operator at the Gates Legal Publishing Company on West 3rd. He became Forman& Machinist of the typesetting department employed for 19 years. The family business closed due to unionization. Thomas next worked for the Daily Legal News; a legal newspaper where he worked until his retirement. Thomas attended church upon his arrival in Cleveland at East Mount Zion Baptist Church under pastor William Downs. He joined in 1070. Thomas served as President of the Usher Board #1 for 15 years, Trustee for 20 years from Chairman Roosevelt Roberts to Chairman Miles Cobbs. He retired as vice-chairman and his name was enshrined on A. Charles Bowie Education Building as Ex-Officio. Thomas enjoyed working with his hands and keeping his house and lawn well kept. He prided himself on restoring the woodwork in his home to its natural beauty. He became caretaker for his wife when her health failed and until her passing at the end of 2004. Thomas' own health began to fail August 2011. He was a resident of McGregor Rehab and McGregor Overlook Nursing Home until his passing. Those left to cherish the memory of Thomas are his oldest sibling, Frances Otilla Washington of St. Charles, Missouri; two nieces, Melva (Ron) Copes of Bonney Lake, Washington and Delores (Joseph) Rutlin of St. Louis, Missouri; two nephews, Eric Stith of Chicago, Illinois and Leo Houston Jr. of St. Louis, Illinois; as well as many god children, neighbors and friends, especially Brother Robert Forrest. Services SATURDAY, JUNE 23; WAKE 9:30 AM , FUNERAL 10:00 AM at East Mt Zion Baptist Church, 9990 Euclid Ave. Interment in Lake View Cemetery.