James Son Thomas

James “Son Ford” Thomas (October 14, 1926 – June 26, 1993) was an American Delta bluesmusician, gravedigger and sculptor from Leland, Mississippi. Thomas was born in Eden, Mississippi on October 14, 1926. While working in the fields, he began listening to blues on the radio. As a self-taught guitarist, he learned to play songs from older blues guitarists Elmore Davis and Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup. He then worked as a gravedigger in Washington County.