Gregory Allen Thomas, 58, died February 26, 2017, at H.C. Watkins Memorial Hospital in Quitman, MS. Visitation is Wednesday, March 1 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Wright’s Funeral Home in Quitman. Greg’s celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 2nd at Shady Grove First Baptist Church at 1220 Highway 11, Heidelberg, MS 39439. Following the service, burial will be at Shady Grove First Baptist Church Cemetery. Pastor Stanley Downs is officiating and Pastor Larry Cockerham will officiate graveside. Wright’s Funeral Home in Quitman, MS, is handling arrangements.
Mr. Thomas was a resident of Clarke County and lived at his family home on the Shubuta-Vossburg Road. He was born on June 27, 1958, the oldest child of James and Annette Jones Thomas. He was a loving son, nephew, father, grandfather, cousin, and friend. After graduating from Heidelberg Academy in 1976 he continued his education at Jones County Junior College and graduated from Mississippi State University in Forestry Management. Greg worked for numerous forestry companies before joining his father in Thomas Logging Company. Greg’s passion for southern forestry conservation and renewal led him to work in all areas of the timber industry as a consultant and certified tree farmer and planter. The extended Thomas family of aunts and cousins will forever be grateful for Greg’s management of the family land in Clarke and Jasper Counties.
Mr. Thomas loved his family, neighbors, and friends dearly and accepted his church responsibilities as part of his daily life. He was a member and deacon of Shady Grove First Baptist Church. He was Chairman of the church Building and Grounds Committee and filled in as song leader and Sunday School teacher. He loved music and was a true outdoorsman, enjoying the woods and fishing near his home. Family and friends will always remember his love of NASCAR and the MSU Bulldogs. Greg was an avid Cowboy fan since childhood, long before being a Cowboy fan was “cool!”
Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife of 41 years, Brenda Wells Thomas of Shubuta; mother, Annette Jones Thomas of Shubuta; son, Berry Allen Thomas and his wife Mary-Ryan of Shubuta; daughter, Courtney Thomas Harris and her husband Chad of Shubuta; and daughter, Christie Thomas Phillips and her husband Jonathan of Bay Springs. Greg’s cherished grandchildren brought many delightful memories to him. They are grandsons James Thomas, Collin Harris, Michael Phillips, and granddaughter Madalynn Thomas. Greg will be greatly missed by his sisters and their families: Emily Thomas Cooper and her husband Jim of Brandon (sons, Thomas and Reid); and Joy Thomas Hughes and her husband Kirk of Madison (children Darby and Tyler).
Pallbearers are Thomas Cooper, Blake Macon, Cary Mosley, Larry Mosley, Randy Rowell, and Ricky Smith. Honorary pallbearers are Reid Cooper, Tyler Hughes, Hunter Kabbes, Clayton Kabbes, Tom Lewis, and Jack White.
Memorials may be made to Shady Grove First Baptist Church Building Fund and Shady Grove First Baptist Cemetery Fund at the address of the church: 1220 Highway 11, Heidelberg, MS 39439.
