Pastor Thomas Fordham,

FORDHAM, Pastor Otha Thomas, Sr. - Age 76, was called to reward on Friday, January 28, 2005 at McLaren Regional Medical Center. Family hour 11AM Thursday, February 3, 2005 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 2109 Martin Luther King Ave., with the homegoing celebration commencing immediately at 12Noon. Pastor H.B. Dixson officiating. Interment Flint Memorial Park Cemetery, G-9506 N. Dort Hwy. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11AM Thursday. Pastor Fordham will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and 8AM-3PM Wednesday, February 2, 2005. Afterwhich, Pastor Fordham will be taken to Everlasting Missionary Baptist Church, 4512 Dupont St., and may be viewed from 4PM-8PM Wednesday, January 2, 2005. Pastor Otha Thomas Fordham, Sr. was born on December 30, 1928, in Glenwood, Georgia, the son of the late Carrow and Lillian Fordham. Otha Fordham, Sr. attended school in Glenwood, GA. He resided in Sarasota, FL for ten years. In 1956, Pastor Fordham relocated to Michigan where he continued his education by obtaining his G.E.D. He further advanced his education by attending Owosso Bible College, Toledo Baptist College, Midwestern Bible College and Birmingham Institute, earning a degree in Theology. Pastor Fordham served as a Sunday School Teacher and Trustee at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. In 1967, Pastor Fordham became a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church where he was also called into the ministry. In 1975, he was called to pastor the Everlasting Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Fordham served as a member of the Baptist Minister Fellowship Alliance, The Concerned Pastors of Flint and on the Great Lakes District Association Executive Board. In 1999, he retired from Chevrolet Metal Fab after 43.7 years of service and was a member of UAW Local 659. Pastor Otha Fordham, Sr. leaves in God's care: his loving wife of 56 years, Idella; 4 daughters, Patricia McQueen of Auburn Hills, MI, Bernice Fordham, Caren Fordham, both of Flint and Pearl (Rev. Joe) Brown of Columbia, TN; daughter-in-law, Valerie Fordham of Flint; 13 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; 3 brothers, Robert (Earlene), Roy (Carolyn) and Joseph (Alma), all of Flint; 2 sisters, Lillie (Foster) Millender and Lois Edwards of Grand Blanc, MI; sister-in-law, Rosa Williams of Jacksonville, FL; brother-in-law, James Balcon of Savannah, GA; and aunts, Gladys Robinson of Glenwood, GA; a host of nieces, nephews, special cousin, Susie Tinsley of North Carolina; and adopted children, Pastor Daniel (Sis. Naomi) Bridges. Pastor Fordham was preceded in death by his parents; son, Otha Fordham, Jr.; 2 brothers; and 1 sister. The family wishes to express a special thanks to McLaren Regional Medical Center 12th Floor Staff especially Paul, Angie and Debbie.