2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 142
Commending Barbara Entzminger Thomas.
Agreed to by the Senate, March 13, 2026
WHEREAS, Barbara Entzminger Thomas, an esteemed faith leader and musician, has touched countless lives in the Richmond community through her work as president and pastor of the Spirit of Truth Ministries; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Thomas graduated from Armstrong High School in Richmond and Smith-Madden Business College and more recently earned her doctor of divinity degree from the H.E. Wood Bible Institute and Theological Seminary in 2018; and
WHEREAS, for more than 30 years, Barbara Thomas has provided uplifting spiritual leadership and compassionate service to the Richmond community as the president and pastor of the Spirit of Truth Ministries; and
WHEREAS, an acclaimed musician and gospel singer, Barbara Thomas was a member of the Reverend James Cleveland's Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) and was a featured singer for its 50th Anniversary in Atlanta, Georgia; in 2012, she was presented the Texas Gospel Music Excellence Award; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Thomas has served with the Evangelistic Board of the GMWA, the Richmond chapter of the GMWA, and the Fellowship of Female Clergy, and she has also made an impact as the Richmond section chaplain for the National Council of Negro Women and as a member of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Richmond and Vicinity and the National Association of Professional Women; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, Barbara Thomas published her book, So I Sing , recounting her experiences as a young Black woman growing up during the period of segregation; and