Charles Wylie Thomas
Charles Wylie Thomas Sr., 82, of Holly Springs, passed away peacefully at his home on December 20, 2022. He was born on January 20, 1940, in the Bethlehem Community of Marshall County, Mississippi, to Seth Thomas and Faye Pipkin Thomas. Mr. Thomas was the owner and funeral director of the Holly Springs Funeral Home and a cattleman.
From a humble and loving beginning, Mr. Thomas was proud to be a member of the first graduating class of Kingsbury High School in Memphis, Tennessee. He began his working career at the young age of twelve, pushing a popsicle cart through the streets of the city of Memphis, and at the age of sixteen he purchased his first home. This first real estate purchase began his lifelong passion of acquiring land and land ownership. He relocated to Holly Springs in the early 1960's and worked for Sol Cox, selling tractors and farm equipment. He began his funeral industry career working for Ivy Reynolds at Reynolds Funeral Home in Holly Springs, before founding the Holly Springs Funeral Home in 1966, with the help of his dear friends Clark Cochran, AQ Greer, and Wall Doxey. He has remained active with the Holly Springs Funeral Home until recent months.
In 1960, Mr. Thomas married the love of his life, Juanita Young Thomas, and their life together for over 62 years, along with the family that they raised, was the center of his existence. His love for his family was second only to his love for God, and his faith guided every facet of his life.
Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife, Juanita Thomas; three sons, Chuck (Sue), Barry (Karen), and Kevin (Donna) Thomas; and a daughter, Janna Thomas Stanton (Sonny). He also leaves nine grandchildren, Trey Thomas (Mandy), Emmily Hurdle (Nathan), BJ Thomas (Emily), Kasie Teel (Colter), Paige McMullen (Justin), Brandi Byrd (Derek), LeAnn Stafford (Trip), Nick Stanton (Megan) and Brittany Connor (Derrick), and twenty-one great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Bobby Kenneth Thomas.
Funeral services for Mr. Thomas were held on Friday, December 23, 2022, at 2 p.m., in the Chapel of the Holly Springs Funeral Home. The Thomas Family received family and friends during a visitation at the Funeral Home on Thursday, December 22, from 3 until 8 p.m. Burial, followed the service, at Hill Crest Cemetery.
paid obituary