Rev. Harvey Thomas, 98, of Lillington passed away Sunday, February 14, 2016 at his home. Rev. Thomas was born in Harnett County, the son of the late Lilla Yarborough and Tillman Melvin Thomas. He was preceded in death by his wife Kathleen Griffin Thomas and siblings, Annie Newell Brown, Tillman Clifton Thomas, Sr., Olie May Thomas, Lee Roy Thomas, Curtis Thomas, Beulah Thomas, Mack Thomas, Marvin Thomas, Allene Bethune and Paul Thomas.

Rev. Thomas and his wife Sister Kate were the first pastors of the Fuquay Emmanuel Holiness church in 1953. They pastored there on three different occasions. They were instrumental in building new Sunday School rooms and bricking the block church. Rev. Thomas also was State Overseer of the N.C. Emmanuel Holiness Conference for about sixteen years. Rev. Thomas helped financially establish churches in Selma and Clayton, N.C. He also pastored churches in Rocky Mount and St. Pauls, N.C. He went on mission trip to Mexico and Ecuador, South America.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at O'Quinn-Peebles-Phillips Chapel with Rev. Larry Singletary, Rev. James Croke and Rev. Roger Small officiating. Burial will follow in Westview Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 10:00-11:00 AM at the funeral home.

Rev. Thomas is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and a host of family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Emmanuel Holiness Church, PO Box 638, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526.