Howard Thomas

Mr. Howard Thomas, age 89, of Douglasville, Georgia, formerly a 45-year resident of Smyrna, Georgia, passed away Monday, April 12, 2010 at his residence. He was born November 11, 1920 in Bethel, Kentucky, the oldest of 9 children born to the late Mr. Charles Everett Thomas, Sr. and the late Mrs. Mattie Josephine Hill Thomas. He married Katherine Ella Wilson on February 5, 1938 in Revelo, Kentucky. He was a lover of and follower of Jesus Christ. From an early age, Howard drove a truck hauling lumber out of the Kentucky woods. As an adult, he drove an “eighteen wheeler” with a refrigerated trailer hauling produce between the east and west coasts for many years. In retirement, he was an expert diesel mechanic, servicing a fleet of semi-tractor trucks and trailers. He was an avid reader and a lifelong learner with deep spiritual hunger to know and love Jesus more. He passionately exhorted his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to love and obey Jesus Christ. He loved to talk about the coming joys of heaven and enjoyed listening to gospel music, especially the Gaither Homecoming music videos with his family. He was devoted to his family, watching over, praying for and shepherding them with keen observation and spiritual insight. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Katherine Wilson Thomas on January 11, 2005; and his son, Roger Wendell Thomas on February 15, 2010; and sisters, Mabra Cox and Alma Thomas. He is survived by his daughter, Nancy Thomas Gadd of Austell; daughter-in-law, Linda Leach Thomas of Douglasville; sisters, Reba Little of Pine Knot, KY, Ruth Cordell of Stearns, KY, Glenna Ball of Somerset, KY, Margery Garrett of Somerset, KY, and Valda Douglas of Indianapolis, IN; one brother, Charles E. Thomas, Jr. of Danville, KY; also surviving him are granddaughters and grandsons-in-law, Bill and Traci Thomas McConnell of Bartlesville, OK, Randy and Torri Thomas DeLong of Bartlesville, OK, grandsons Scott Gadd of Lithia Springs, GA, Todd Gadd of Austell, GA, and granddaughter Misty Gadd of Austell, GA; 9 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews also survive. The Homegoing Celebration for Mr. Howard Thomas will be held Saturday, April 17, 2010 beginning with a reception at 12 Noon at the McCreary County Funeral Home in Whitley City, KY. Interment will follow at Kingtown Cemetery, Strunk, Kentucky. Messages of condolences may be sent from www.jones-wynn.com. Jones-Wynn Funeral Home, Douglas Chapel is in charge of local arrangements 770-942-2311 and McCreary County Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for the visitation and homegoing service in Kentucky. 606-376-5358.