Bishop Thomas Prioleau, Sr.

Thomas Prioleau Sr. was born to Elias Prioleau and Beulah Oxendine on October 13, 1934 in Sumter, South Carolina. He attended St. Michael’s High School in Sumter and graduated in 1953. Thomas married Willie Mae Reid on January 6, 1956, and remained married for fifty-five years until her death in 2011. They were blessed with 8 children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. In 1959, Thomas moved his wife and 3 children to Orlando, Florida where they received Christ and began to serve the Lord for the rest of their lives; more than fifty years. Thomas served in the church as Brother, Deacon, Pastor, and Bishop. Thomas was also an Evangelist; returning often to his hometown in South Carolina to preach in revivals and other church events. Thomas was the Assistant Pastor and Co-Founder of Miracle Tabernacle in Orlando, Florida. He served as Senior Pastor of the Winter Park Church of God, Winter Park, Florida from 1989-1992. During his tenure as Pastor, the Church of God elected Thomas as Bishop in 1990. Thomas and Willie Mae moved to Avon, Colorado in 1992, where he continued to minister and support the local church, Believers Way Ministries. After a severe accident in 1993, and a miraculous recovery, Thomas retired from the ministry and supported his family. Thomas returned to Florida in 2009 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He was a major influence to his grand children and a faithful member of Celebration of Praise, Church of God in Clermont. Bishop Thomas Prioleau was called home on October 2, 2016; at the age of 81. He was preceded in death by his wife, Willie Mae; daughter, Pamela; brothers, Nathan, Elias Jr., Charles, Ervin, and Paul; and sisters; Beulah, and Evelyn. As a devoted Christian, he was committed to his wife, family and church. He is survived by: children: Thomas Jr. (Leslie) of Orlando, Florida, Ronald (Katrina) of Ravenel, South Carolina, Ann Fredrick (Andre) of Orlando, Florida, Tyrance (Bonita) of Eagle, Colorado, Dale (Alisa) of Houston, Texas, Ronell (Angela) of Marianna, Florida, Kendrick (Marianne) of Meridian, Mississippi; brothers: James (Margaret) of Orlando, Florida, Jimmy (Sylvia) of Columbia, South Carolina; sisters: Anita Orr of Easley, South Carolina and Bertha Hunter of Sumter, South Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many sorrowing friends.

Tributes

Bishop Thomas Prioleau, Sr.

October 13, 1934 - October 2, 2016