Dewayne Thomas, longtime Hinds County Chancellor, dies at 72

Dewayne Thomas, the longest-serving chancellor of the 5th Chancery Court in Hinds County, Mississippi, has died at the age of 72. He passed away Wednesday evening at his home in Byram, with authorities indicating his death appeared to be from natural causes.

Thomas served on the bench for 19 years, beginning his tenure in the chancery court in 2007. His judicial career included presiding over significant cases, such as granting an emergency request to extend voting hours during the 2023 statewide election and ruling on the application of the state’s Open Meetings Act to the Legislature.

Prior to his time as a judge, Thomas served as a Democrat in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1984 to 1993 and worked as an assistant county attorney in Hinds County for 11 years. Colleagues remembered him as a dedicated public servant and an astute jurist who treated individuals with dignity.