Martin Thomas, Jr

Mr. Martin Luther Thomas, Jr., 87, of Summerville, entered into eternal rest Monday, July 28, 2014 at the Veteran’s Victory House in Walterboro. He was the widower of the late Julia Helen Steedly Thomas.

Funeral services will be held 3 pm, Saturday, August 2, 2014 at Green Pond United Methodist Church, 7257 Augusta Highway (Hwy 61), Smoaks. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 pm until the hour of service at the church.

Born October 15, 1926 in Smoaks, he was a son of the late Martin Luther Thomas, Sr. and Lillie McAlhaney Thomas. Mr. Thomas served his country in the United States Army during World War II and then retired from the Charleston Naval Shipyard in North Charleston. He was a Boone Hill United Methodist Church in Summerville, was a member of the Dorchester Masonic Lodge in North Charleston; a member of the Scottish Rite, and was also a member of Jessie Bell Shonk Chapter #269, Order of the Eastern Star in North Charleston, where he had served as Past Worthy Patron.

Surviving are: his children, Martin L. Thomas, III of Summerville, Bryan Thomas (Diane) of Gallatin, Tennessee, and Vera Thomas Coward (Gary) of Charleston; grandchildren, Kevin Long (Andi) of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Lauren Thomas of Sarasota, Florida, Erin Duggan (Patrick) of Sarasota, Florida, Kelly Thomas of Jacksonville, Florida, Jennifer Thomas of Jacksonville, Florida, and Drew M. Thomas of Jacksonville, Florida; great grandchildren, Jackson, Riley, Mary Kate and JW Long, all of Hendersonville, Tennessee, and Brett and William Duggan of Sarasota, Florida. He is also survived by a sister, Nellie Thomas Roessler; sisters-in-law, Lila Thomas and Pauline Steedly Matthews, brothers-in-law, Wendell Steedly (Kathleen), Mirt Steedly (Ernestine), Dan Frank Steedly (Erma) and Leonard Steedly (LaTrel); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Mr. Thomas was preceded in death by a daughter, Benita Thomas; son, Neal Thomas; brother, Benjamin Thomas; and brother-in-law, William Roessler.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to: Boone Hill United Methodist Church, 801 Boone Hill Road, Summerville, South Carolina 29483-2485; or to: Green Pond United Methodist Church, Care of Ray Thomas, 3568 Sunrise Road, Smoaks, South Carolina 29481.

ARRANGEMENTS BY: THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro; 843.538.5408. Visit our online registry at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.

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