Thomas C. Christmas

Rev. Thomas C. Christmas, age 82, of Dermott, passed away Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. He was born Sept. 12, 1930 in Montrose, Ark. He was a minister for 62 years, retired from Wells Lamont Corporation, a U. S. Navy Veteran and a member of Cominto Baptist Church. He was the son of the late Louis Matthew Christmas and Emma Taylor Christmas. Bro. Tom, as he was known by most, pastored the Cominto Baptist Church three times for a total of 28 years. He came out of retirement four different times to return to the pulpit. His family said he preached until he just couldn't do it anymore. The last time he preached, he got through about half of the message and had to ask a deacon to finish it. In his 62 years of preaching, he was without a church only two weeks and that was due to his wife having surgery. Survivors include his wife Lois Bryant Christmas of Dermott; one son, Tim Christmas and wife, Loraine of Monticello; one brother, Steve Christmas and wife, Alice of S.C.; one sister-in-law, Bonnie Christmas of Dermott; two grandchildren, T. J. Christmas of Monticello and Lora Beth Naron and husband, Andrew of Elizabille, N.Y.; and five great grandchildren. Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at Stephenson-Dearman Chapel with burial in Rash Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.