Rev. Eddie Thomas awarded Order of Palmetto

By Jessica Brodie

BISHOPVILLE—South Carolina has awarded its highest civilian honor to a retired United Methodist pastor whose life’s work has helped countless stay afloat in difficult seasons.

The Rev. Eddie Thomas, founder of Good Samaritans for All People, was honored March 22 with the Order of the Palmetto before a crowd of people gathered for the ministry’s spring giveaway event.

“It gives me a thrill,” Thomas shared with the Advocate as he carted boxes of new clothing and nonperishable food supplies to give to the community.

A long line of people waited outside the old Bishopville High School that morning for the giveaway to begin as volunteers from five counties worked intently to stack clothing, food, toys and donated household items on tables lining the gym.

Just before the giveaway began, officials invited Thomas to stand before the crowd, first presenting him with a framed proclamation declaring March 22, 2025, as “The Reverend Eddie C. Thomas Jr. Day.” Then former House Rep. Will Wheeler presented Thomas with the Order of the Palmetto as Thomas’ wife and partner in ministry, Corine, stood at his side.

Wheeler said Thomas is a man who embodies what it means to be a good neighbor and our brothers’ keepers, epitomizing the lessons Jesus taught in the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10).

“We’ve become an increasingly divided society,” Wheeler said, yet in spite of that, Thomas never let his opinions get in the way of helping someone.

“We are all our brothers’ keepers, and we are all brothers and sisters,” Wheeler said, adding that Thomas embodies this completely.

Thomas started Good Samaritans for All People in 1993 when he was serving the Horry-Georgetown area. When he moved to Marlboro County and then later Lee County, the ministry came, too. In its 32nd year, today Good Samaritans does roughly six giveaways a year, including three furniture giveaways, with help from 26 volunteer members, helping in the 16 poorest counties in the state. They also help 10 schools with supplies, maintain two roads, give out turkeys during the holidays, assist people in need with Christmas gifts, and more.

“It’s a declaration, a promise I made to the Lord when I was in Vietnam,” Thomas explained, sharing how he was about to have surgery after being shot in the back and legs when he cried out to the Lord.

“I said if he’d heal me I would serve him in any way I can,” Thomas said.

God did indeed heal him, and Thomas kept his word, now completing nearly 50 years as a pastor and more than three decades in service to the community through Good Samaritans. While now he’s officially retired as a pastor, he still serves at Mount Prospect UMC, Camden. And even though he plans to turn the reins of Good Samaritans to a new leader at the end of this year, he still plans to be involved helping as he can.

Thomas said receiving the Order of the Palmetto is an honor, though the day of the presentation, the achievement hadn’t quite sunk in.

“It gives me a thrill to know I’m making a different in my community and surrounding area,” he said with a smile.

Presenting him with the “Thomas Day” proclamation, Bishopville Mayor Luke Giddings called Thomas a man “who truly embodies Christ.”

Bishopville City Council Member Shirley Hill, joining Giddings for the presentation, agreed, noting the community appreciates Thomas and all he does for the people.

“It takes a man of God to see the needs of the people and respond,” Hill said.

Lee County Councilwoman Johnette McCutchen Caughman, who nominated Thomas for the Order of the Palmetto, called him one of a kind.

“It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t know you. He’s going to help. He’s there in the good times and the bad times,” Caughman said.

Volunteer Mary Yates said the Good Samaritans team is excited to see Thomas get the recognition he deserves.

“We are so proud of him. He works every day, and he does it with pure love.”

Fellow pastor the Rev. Rusty Crimm, whose church Lamar UMC helps with Good Samaritans, said Thomas is incredibly deserving of this honor.

“He’s one of the most selfless and giving people I know and is intent on making sure that anyone and everyone gets the help that they need.”