Clifford Junior Thomas was born at the family home in Sevierville, Tennessee, on Sunday, April 24, 1932, to Roathman Thomas and Willie Irene Atchley Thomas. He went home to be with Jesus in Aberdeen, Mississippi, on Sunday, June 15, 2014, at the age of 82.
Clifford was a member of First Apostolic Church of Louisville. He was a farmer, a high school basketball player, a veteran of the Korean War, a steel worker at Republic / LTV Steel, he sold tires, worked on cars, and loved to garden. He was a kind and generous man who had a superior work ethic. He was a man of faith and built a strong relationship with his Lord Jesus Christ.
Clifford enjoyed having dinner with close friends, vacationing with family (whether by blood or by heart). He traveled out of the country many times. His first response to the idea of a trip was always, “No way”; however, wherever in the world Margaret led him, he found himself having fun.
Clifford is survived by his sister Dorothy "Sue" Lindsey of Sevierville, Tennessee; his son, Ronald D. Thomas and wife, Victoria Fernandez Thomas, of Kingwood, Texas; his daughter, Sherry Thomas Hill and husband, Edward Hill, of Cape Coral, Florida; and his grandchildren, Nikki Thomas Schneider and husband, Allen, of Houston, Texas; Brandon Thomas of Austin, Texas; Zachary Hill and Amber Hill of Cape Coral, Florida. He was also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Margaret Coleman Thomas; his parents; and two brothers, Earl and Max Thomas.
Visitation for Clifford will be at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville, Mississippi, on Friday, June 20, 2014, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2014, at First Apostolic Church with Rev. Anthony Zupancic and Rev. Pat Coleman officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers will be Allen Schneider, Brandon Thomas, and Zachary Hill. Memorials may be given to the Wounded Warriors Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or to Missionary Mary Mitchell, c/o First Apostolic Church, 118 John C. Stennis Drive, Louisville, MS 39339.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS (662-773-3501). Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
