Otis William Thomas, born 10 Aug 1885, Bienville Parish, Louisiana, died 17 Feb 1974, Nederland, Texas. He married 1. Vallie Viola Allen in 1907; 2. Lillie Florence Kolb in 1926. Photograph taken in 1972 at age 87.
"Ordination"
0. W. Thomas,
Pineville, La.
This is to certify that brother 0. W. Thomas, was ordained to the work of the gospel ministery, by prayer and the laying on of the hands of the eldership, on March 22, 1918. He was called to ordination by the Pineville Baptist Church of which he is a member.
The ordaining council was composed of all ordained ministers who were present; James I. Kendrick, Ford A. Burns, Dr. M. E. Dodd, B. C. Smith, L. A. Lea, B. F. Wallace, M. W. Salessi, John Henry Smith, J. T. Brown, H. B. Mercer, and L. C. Smith, who after a deliberate and thorough examination of the candidate cordially recommended him for ordination.
Our beloved brother, the bearer of this paper, has, therefore the entire approbation of the ordaining council in being publicly set apart to preach the gospel and administer the ordinances of Christ.
May he like Barnabas, "be full of the Holy Spirit and of faith" and through him may "much people be added to the Lord."
James I. Kendrick, Mod.
Ford A. Burns, Clerk
Contributed by Frances and Charles Thomas, Nederland, Texas