Thomas Henry Edward Boulware
December 1, 1917 - March 17, 2002
"A Man of Refinement and Compassion"
Thomas Henry Edward Boulware was born in the county of Kershaw, South Carolina on December 1, 1917 to James and Alberta Boulware. Thomas was affectionately known to his sisters and brothers as "Bootsy". He received his primary education at Mickle Grade School and attended Rock Hill Baptist Church at an early age. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and baseball. Thomas moved to Charlotte, North Carolina and later moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he attended New Era Baptist Church until his health failed. He was employed at the Wagman Company for many years and 29 of those years he was a supervisor until he retired. Even after his retirement from th Wagman Company, Thomas worked as a doorman for vaious luxury apartment complexes in the Philadelphia area until his illness. |  |
Thomas was blessed with eight children: Cleola Porter, Nancy Beasley, Thomas Jr., Joseph, Howard, Ruby, Jackie and Pamela. Later in years, Thomas married Della Mae Phillips and was married for over 20 years. He was a devoted husband and a loving father to his children, grandchildren, special granddaughter "Joyce" and great grandchildren.
Thomas enjoyed interacting with his family and supported them in their endeavors. He was their best advocate and he was always there for them. He wanted his children to grow up well balanced and enjoy the best that life had to offer. He loved having family dinners and barbeques on holidays. He was an excellent cook and baked the biggest cakes and best sweet potato pies. His nieces and nephews in Philly called him "Big T".
He constantly instilled family unity, love, respect and having Christian values into his children. Thomas loved his family and often brought his children "down south" to visit their uncles, aunts and cousins. He was very proud of his family and he often bragged about his family to friends and co-workers. He was their biggest supporter. He loved and looked up to his brothers and sisters and thought they were the best family and friends to him. He was like the rest of the Boulware's, in that he spoke his mind.
Thomas loved the good life and he exemplified it in every way. He drove the best of cars, wore the sharpest suits, kept a beautiful home and kept money in his pockets. He was the "pretty boy" and the "baby boy" of the family. He was considered the "favorite son". There was no jealousy there; his siblings just accepted the fact that he was just naturally suave, handsome, and a very refined brother. All of his nieces and nephews thought he was the hippest uncle in the family. Even his family nickname "Bootsy" was hip.
Thomas went on to be with the Lord on March 17, 2002.
