Carl Clifton Thomas, Jr.

2 Corinthians 5:8  "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."

Our hero has gone to be with Jesus. Those of us who have accepted the gift of salvation will one day be reunited with him. His greatest joy was in serving the Lord and instructing his family how to live a Christian life and that nothing was more important than being born again and having a real relationship with the Lord! Our hearts are broken, but all our trust and hope is built on Jesus Christ. HE is the solid Rock that we stand upon!

On May 19, 2020 at 12:32 PM Carl Clifton Thomas, Jr.  (Sonny to family and Buddy to his grandchildren) passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side. He was a member of Princeton Church of God where he worked with Senior Ministries playing the bass on Wednesday mornings. For several years he also played the bass for The Kirby Family.  He loved music that glorified the Lord!  His greatest joy came from reading and studying the Word of God!

He was retired from Coppinger/Baker/ Eimco Machinery and worked for Ramey's as a driver until his health no longer permitted him to work.

Born Oct. 20, 1940 in Gary, WV, he was the second child and only son born to the late Carl Clifton Thomas and Lorraine Elizabeth Smith Thomas. Grandparents were the late Rev. O. W. (Opie) Thomas and Laura Hill Thomas and Joseph Smith and Faye Smith. He was also preceded in death by his youngest sister, Lori Thomas Whitehead,  in-laws Bernie and Sadie Barnette and a son-in-law Shawn Sizemore.

He is survived by the love of his life, Joyce Barnette Thomas of the home who lovingly was his helpmate through sickness and in health. He cherished her as much as she cherished him. They were together 60 years.

He is also survived by children who he said were his treasures, Kathy Thomas Payne and husband Ronnie; David Thomas; Joey Thomas and wife Tammy and Gerri Sizemore.

Grandchildren are Jennifer Gibbons (Caleb),  Robert "D.W." Thomas ( Brittney), Amanda Stewart (Joe), Kirsten Thomas, Dustin Dunkley, Hannah Goins (Wesley) Carlie Laws (Tyler), Abigail Sizemore (Richard) and Rebecca Thomas. 

He is also survived by 18 great grandchildren, Jazmin, Chloe, Cameron, Danny, Alex, Cheyenne, Riley, Skylyn, Gracie, Malichi, Emery,  Logan, Kaleigh, Ezekial, Jaxon, Maverick, London and Cleo.

Two sisters, Rita Tabor (Richard) and Sylvia Burford (Floyd), brother-in-law John Barnette (Karen) and sisters-in-law, Doris Minnix and Beth Wooten as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews and special family friends, Debra Perry and  Lonnie Payne.

We would like to thank Amedysis Hospice for their team of support during this time and a special thank you to Jennifer Gibbons for all the loving care and compassion you gave Pawpaw Buddy.   Thank you to Brittney Basham who assisted in settling Buddy the night he came home from a two night hospital stay. As he transitioned to Heaven, he was in very loving hands.

Funeral services will be Friday, May 22, 2020 at 1:00 PM at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel in Bluewell with Rev. Larry Roberts and Rev. David Kirby officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell with grandchildren serving as pallbearers.

Friends may call prior to services, from 12:00-1:00 PM on Friday.