Beloved scion of newspaper family passes away

By Stephan Drew, Editor

Morrell “Morrey” Livingston Thomas III, a devoted steward of community journalism and a member of one of Darlington’s most respected publishing families, passed away early Sunday morning, January 17.

Born in 1955, Morrey was the son of Margaret Ann Thomas and Morrell L. Thomas Jr., who guided The News & Press for over half a century, from 1956 until Mr. Thomas’ death in 2005.

Raised in a household where journalism was both a profession and a calling, Morrey developed a deep respect for the role of local newspapers in preserving the voice and values of a community.

He was married to Pam Thomas and earned a Master of Business Administration from the College of William and Mary. A retired Navy veteran, Morrey brought discipline, leadership, and a strong sense of duty to every chapter of his life.

Reflecting on the importance of The News & Press, Morrey once said, “If somebody had an event or if an announcement was made, The News & Press was the first place they called.” That philosophy guided not only his own work, but generations of the Thomas family, who resisted industry trends that pulled newspapers away from grassroots community coverage.

Following the passing of his father, Morrey’s sister, Ann Boyd, assumed the role of publisher in 2005. Tragically, her tenure was cut short when she lost her battle with cancer in 2008 at the age of 45. During her illness, the family turned to Morrey for help in keeping the paper running.

At the time, Morrey was deeply engaged with the Brunswick Beacon where, for over 19 years, he helped owner Eddie Sweatt build the paper into the largest community newspaper in the nation, boasting a weekly circulation of 17,000 and editions averaging 80 pages. Though he initially attempted to split his time between Brunswick and Darlington, it soon became clear that the family legacy needed his full attention.

After his sister’s passing, Morrey returned home to Darlington to carry on the tradition begun generations earlier.During his 12-year tenure as publisher of The News & Press, Morrey became an active leader within the South Carolina Press Association, eventually serving as its president—a title once held in the organization’s female division by his mother. Under his guidance, the newspaper earned numerous SCPA honors, including multiple General Excellence awards.

Though he acknowledged the challenges facing the newspaper industry, Morrey believed passionately in the enduring value of local journalism. “I believe in my heart that community newspapers like the News & Press will always have a place because we’re going to cover things that a daily newspaper doesn’t,” he said. “Little League games, daddy and daughter dances, the sweet things about life in your hometown—a community newspaper satisfies those needs. We also serve as a community watchdog, making sure people know what’s going on with their government, things that would otherwise go unchecked.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Morrey made the difficult decision to sell The News & Press to the Herald Group, expressing full confidence in its future. “The future of the News & Press for Darlington County and the City of Darlington could not be in finer hands,” he said.

As the community mourns Morrey’s passing, it also honors a legacy of more than 60 years of dedicated service by the Thomas family—providing critical information, thoughtful insight, and a steadfast commitment to Darlington County.Thank you to Morrey and the Thomas family for your hard work, your judicious ethics, your generosity, and your unflagging love for Darlington County.

Our prayers go out to Pam and the rest of the family.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Kistler-Hardee Funeral Home.