Thomas Gilchrist

Thomas Gilchrist

Greenwood, SC:  Thomas Gilchrist, 66, departed this life on Friday, November 4, 2022 at Self Regional Hospital, Greenwood, SC.

He was born in Edgefield, SC, November 5, 1955, son of Elizabeth Rhynes and of the late Raymond Gilchrist.  He was raised in Edgefield, SC.  At the age of 9 his family moved to Washington, DC.  At an early age, he joined The Way of the Cross Church of Christ, Washington, D.C.  From 2002 – 2016 he was a member of the Voices of Victory Choir.   He graduated from Dunbar High School, Washington, D.C. in 1973.  He was employed by Gray Concrete and Pipe, Springfield, VA for 11 years.  He then became a plumber’s helper.  In 1986 he was selected for the apprenticeship program with the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 5 Union, Camp Springs, MD.  He was employed by them as a Plumber, Welder and Instructor until 2010.  In 2010 he was selected to teach Plumbing and Welding for Phelps High School, Washington, DC.  He unfortunately had to resign in 2014 because of kidney failure.

He married Diana Nichols, June 2000 after a 25 year relationship.   

Thomas was one that loved the Lord and he sought to please Him. He loved to sing in the choir.  He was a fan of the Washington Football team.  Thomas was a good, kind, loving and funny man.  In all his ways and he will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Preceding him in death was his father Raymond Gilchrist and stepfather James Rhynes. 

Those left to cherish and honor precious memories; wife, Diana, mother, Elizabeth Rhynes, Greenwood, SC, daughter, Tamecka Carter, grandsons, Tyrell, Tavon, Tyrek Carter, great-grandaughter, Xariah, Forestville, MD, Aunt Ora Bell (Effort) Clark, McCormick, SC, Aunt Claudia (Garcia) Lawton, Beach Island, SC, Aunt Grace Butler, Augusta, GA, Aunt Doris Gilchrist, Cleveland, OH, Uncle John Lewis Gilchrist, Edgefield, SC, step-sister, Anglia “Kay” (Henry) Jones, Batesburg, SC, step-niece, Latrell (Pernell) Peterson, Piedmont, SC, step-nephews, Henry Lee (Terra), Aiken, SC and Montel Jones, Charlotte, NC, sister-in-law, Shirley (Paul) Carr, Pioneer, OH, brother-in-law, Ronald Nichols, Perry, MI, nephew, Jeffery Nichols, Perry, MI, niece, Tracy Kuykendoll, Diamondale, MI and a host of many other dear nieces, nephews, and cousins.  

Celebration of Life will be 12 Noon Saturday, November 12, 2022 at Springfield Missionary Baptist Church conducted by Bishop Henry Chauncey Lancaster, Way of the Cross Church of Christ, Capitol Heights, MD.  The body will be placed in the church at 11 a.m. for viewing until the hour of service. Burial will take place in the church cemetery on Sunday at 3 p.m.

Family viewing will be 2-3 pm Friday at the funeral home.

Public Viewing will be 3-6 pm Friday at the funeral home.

The family is at the home 27 Sandrock Rd, McCormick, SC 29835.

Please pray for this family as they go through their hour of bereavement.

If visiting and attending the services please wear a mask or a face covering.

Butler and Sons Funeral Home is in charge.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas Gilchrist, please visit our floral store.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas Gilchrist, please visit our floral store.