Dorinda L (Meeks) Thomason

Mrs. Dorinda (Meeks) Thomason, 93, formerly of Bloomfield, NJ, passed away in the care of her loving family in Stratford, Connecticut on Tuesday, November 25th, 2025.   Born in York County, SC on October 17 1932, she was the daughter of the late Harper and Annie Belle (Wright) Meeks, and devoted wife and partner to her husband of 68 years, Rev. John Thomason.

Dorinda was a scholarship student from the AME Zion Church to what is now Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC. There, she studied classical piano and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music.  Upon her marriage she moved with her husband to New Jersey, where she started her career as a nursery school and music teacher in the Newark, NJ school system.  As a result of her observations that children in that city needed positive active intervention in their lives she transitioned careers from music education to social work, receiving her graduate degree in social work from Hunter College in NYC.  She then served 30 years as a social worker and supervisor with the State of New Jersey’s Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS).

As a devout Christian, she served as the Organist and Music Director for the New Light Baptist Church in Bloomfield, NJ, before moving with her husband to

Union Baptist Church, when he was called to serve as its Pastor. She served as that church’s Organist, Choir Director, and Church Mother of the congregation for more than 30 years, where she was known for her musical skills, bright smile, and nurturing and supportive Christian counsel in spiritual and family matters. 

She always took an active interest in the youth of the communities she served, and actively advocated with municipal and state government agencies for the creation of rehabilitation programs for ‘at risk’ youth in New Jersey and a park for her community in Bloomfield, where she enjoyed playing tennis. 

Dorinda loved music of all kinds, and enjoyed attending performances of the NJ Symphony Orchestra.  Later in life she traveled with her daughter Theresa on her musical performance tour throughout Italy, and received a standing ovation at the Vienna Opera House in Vienna, Italy, in recognition of her role as the source of and inspiration for her daughter’s world class musical talent. 

‘Dorinda was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. John Thomason; and her sister, Mrs. Ianthia (Meeks) Neville.

Dorinda Thomason is survived by three daughters: Patricia Middleton, Brenda Cline, and Theresa Thomason; three sons: Ronald, John Charles and David Thomason; an adopted son, Micah Widman; two granddaughters, Leigh Ann Thomason and Sarah Thomason-Yocum; three grandsons, Brandon and Jovan Cline and Myles Thomason; and two great-granddaughters, Jaida White Cline and Emi-Marie Cline. The impact of her presence, and the life lessons she lovingly imparted will continue to be celebrated by her family members and friends worldwide.

During her transition she was lovingly cared for by family members Theresa Thomason and Brenda Cline; J.C., David, and Leigh Ann Thomason; and Theresa’s fiancé, Mark Brewster.

Her Going Home service will be at New Home A.M.E. Zion Church on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., after which the attendees will move from the church to Lakeview Memory Gardens for the interment.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dorinda L (Meeks) Thomason, please visit our floral store.