Bro. Chris Thorne
Bro. Chris Thorne passed away on November 14, 2025. This story was written while he was living, and we share it here as it was told, in his wife's own words.
Bro. Chris Thorne is a long-time St. Matthew A.M.E. member on the sick and shut-in list. His wife of 50 years, Sis. Drewsilla Thorne, says they both appreciate that he is not forgotten by the members of the church, and that he regularly receives visits from the men of the church.
He has resided at the Daughters of Israel in Maplewood for the last nine years, following a debilitating stroke. He joined St. Matthew over 30 years ago, Sis. Drewsilla said.
Sis. Drewsilla said they were not originally from New Jersey and were looking for a church home when they arrived in the area. They met while both were students at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She was originally from Ohio and he was from New York.
They have two adult sons, Cristopher and Desmond, and two grandsons. She said they found St. Matthew by going through the Yellow Pages. They made an appointment with Rev. Reginald Jackson to find out more about the church.
"It was a warm, friendly and welcoming atmosphere — the way it still is today."
"We liked the way they presented themselves," Sis. Drewsilla said.
Her husband, Bro. Chris, had been active in the Gospel Choir, the Men's Choir and adult Sunday school, she said. He still participates in Bible study at the Daughters of Israel.
Sis. Drewsilla said the entire family appreciates everyone who goes to visit him. "It helps us to know he has visitors," she said. "We like knowing people have not forgotten about the family."
In addition to being an active member of the church, Bro. Chris was also a security guard at St. Matthew for over a year, from May 2007 to November 2008. She said he worked on a book with other men from the church, and each wrote a chapter about scripture.
Bro. Chris was a well-known sportswriter who covered boxing for the Newark Star-Ledger from 1981 to 2002. He covered many of the fights during the 1980s that were held in Atlantic City. During his career he met Muhammad Ali, Thomas "Hitman" Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, Riddick Bowe, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, among others. Sis. Drewsilla said they even have a photo of her sons with Laila Ali, Muhammad Ali's daughter, who also has been a boxer.
He was named the International Boxing Federation writer of the year in 1990 and was inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997. Bro. Chris has also served as president of the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Their favorite Bible verse is "Be still, and know that I am God." (NIV), taken from Psalm 46:10.
Our good news is Chris is still here, Sis. Drewsilla said. "God is watching over us, taking care of us."
By Sandra Long Weaver