Jerry Thomas

Jerry Thomas WHITMIRE -- Jerry Clifton Thomas, Sr., 71, resident of 9180 Jalapa Road, husband of Susan Carol Bullard Thomas, went to his Eternal Home Saturday, March 21, 2015. Born in Cross Anchor, March 17, 1944, he was a son of the late Johnny Brooks and Blanche Elizabeth Huckaby Thomas. As a young man, Jerry enjoyed playing football and had played semi-pro ball with the Gaffney Big Chiefs and enjoyed boxing and swimming at the Whitmire YMCA, many times jogging there and jogging home. Jerry was no stranger to hard work, having worked as early as fourteen years old earning money by picking cotton. He worked at both Monarch Mill and J.P. Stevens in Whitmire and many places before retiring from Cone Mills in Carlisle after thirty-two years service. In his later years, he was happiest spending time with family and friends, but mostly with his grandchildren with whom he cherished every moment teaching them about life and how they should be thankful for what God has given them. He went hunting, camping, fishing, on beach vacations, mountain trips and anywhere his grandchildren wanted to go. He especially enjoyed camping trips to Stone Mountain so he could make the Easter Sunrise Service nearly running the two mile journey up the mountain. He will always be remembered for a wonderful smile and generous spirit, never meeting a stranger. He was a Christian and throughout his illness proclaimed his readiness to "Go Home" to spend eternity with Jesus his Savior and had recently been attending Whitmire Pentecostal Holiness Church. He was a member of Roseboro Masonic Lodge No. 195. Jerry was the last surviving member of his immediate family, being one of four children, preceded in death by siblings Mellie Thomas Bush, Nevil Julius "Buddy" Thomas and James Brooks Thomas. He was also preceded by a beloved son, Jerry Clifton "Cliff" Thomas, Jr. And a great-granddaughter, Aulbree. Surviving in addition to his wife of thirty-nine years of the home are two sons, Danny Lynn Thomas and wife Harriett of Seneca and Jerry Clifton "Clif" Thomas, III and wife Brandi of Greenwood; five grandchildren, Cody Chad Thomas and wife Jordan, Lula Casey Breann Thomas, Jackson Brooks Thomas, Tyler Justin Thomas and Cooper Brayden Thomas; and four great-grandchildren, Nathaniel, Colton, Kelli and Bralin; many special brothers-in-law and a sisters-in-law; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and cousins. Graveside services were conducted 6 o'clock Saturday evening with Masonic Rites at the Whitmire Cemetery. Reverend Eddie Duncan officiated. The family is at the home. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Sister Care of Newberry, PO box 1029, Columbia,SC 29202. For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com. Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Thomas family.

This obituary was originally published in The Index-Journal (Greenwood, SC).