Thomas Colter

Thomas Colter was born January 25, 1934 in the town of Woodford, SC and grew up in North, SC. He was the third of nine children of the late Willie Colter, Sr. and the late Essie Lou Colter. Thomas received his childhood education from area schools. After graduating from high school, he was drafted into the United States Army. At the end of his military obligation, he attended Claflin College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and General Science. In 1963 he married the late Corrie McGee Colter from Anderson County, SC. They both started their teaching careers in Dorchester County at Williams Memorial High School in St. George. They eventually moved to York County where both would work in Rock Hill School District Three as educators in area schools. He received a Masters Degree in Education and Certification in Administration from Winthrop University. For years Thomas Colter worked in the Rock Hill School District Three as a teacher, athletic director, coach, and counselor. After teaching thirty years, he retired in 1989. A few years later Thomas came out of retirement to volunteer at Sunset Park Elementary School from 1993 to 1999 working with at-risk and troubled children.

Thomas Colter was as equally devoted to service of his community as he was to the education of children. He presided over and served on a host of organizations and committees aimed for the betterment of Rock Hill’s citizens. He served at the Wesley Foundation at Winthrop University, the Rock Hill Municipal Election Commission, the Trustee Board of Mount Olive United Methodist Church, the Political Action Committee of the Rock Hill branch of the NAACP; the Board of Directors of the Rock Hill YMCA; the Board of Directors of the Shepherd’s Center, and the Board of Directors of Higher Education and Campus Ministry of the S. C. Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Thomas was also a member of the York County Political Black Caucus, the York County Democratic Party, York County Forever Commission, charter member of the Central City Optimists Club, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Big Brothers, the NEA – Retired, SC Education Association – Retired, York County Education Association – Retired, National Rifle Association, the Rock Hill Chapter of the Harley Owners Group, the American Legion, and the Rock Hill Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind.

One of the most defining aspects of Thomas Colter’s life was his love of God whom he served through Mount Olive United Methodist Church and his love for his family. He was married to the late Corrie Colter for 52 years, and from that union came three children and three grandchildren. After a brief stint at Dorn VA hospital in Columbia, SC and Warriors Walk hospice care also on Dorn’s campus, Thomas peacefully departed this life on September 25, 2024 surrounded by family. He is preceded in death by both parents Willie and Essie Lou Colter, and his brothers Willie Jr., Breace, Julius, Wilbur, Burley, Clemon, and his sister Beatrice. Thomas will leave behind to treasure his memory his remaining sibling Geneva Battle in New York, his three children; Gwendolyn Colter of Rock Hill, Tom Colter (Veronic’ Charette) of Laval, Quebec, and Joy Colter also of Rock Hill, three grandchildren: Adrien, Noah, and Amelia, many nieces, nephews, and friends. Thomas Colter’s legacy is a life well-lived start to finish with devotion to God, family, country, and community. He will be deeply missed.