Raymond "Nicky" Lyle Thomas

Raymond Lyle "Nicky" Thomas, age 73, resident of Rossville and husband of Shearon Ann Farley Thomas, departed this life Saturday, June 4, 2016 at the National HealthCare Center in Somerville.

Services of Remembrance for Mr. Thomas were conducted at 10 A.M. Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at the New Bethel United Methodist Church in Rossville with Rev. Susan Atkinson, pastor of the church, officiating. She was assisted by Rev. Allen Rainey, a retired minister of the church. Special music was provided by Meredith Thomas, pianist. Interment followed in the New Bethel Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center - West Chapel at Oakland.

Mr. Thomas was born August 3, 1942 in Memphis. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Lyle Thomas, Sr. and Loura Petrowski Thomas. He was a graduate of Collierville High School, where he was active in football. He continued his education, graduating from Memphis State University with a major in business administration and accounting. He was married April 16, 1964 to the former Shearon Ann Farley.

Mr. Thomas was a farmer for much of his life and was a field auditor at the Tennessee Farmer’s Cooperative from 1965 until 1988. He was the office manager at the Tipton County Farmer’s Cooperative from 1989 until he retired in 2006. He was a member of the New Bethel United Methodist Church for 51 years, where he was the administrative chairman of the board at the church. Mr. Thomas was a lifelong resident of Fayette County and he served on the Fayette Academy Board and as the treasurer for nine years. Mr. Thomas enjoyed raising cattle and will be remembered for attending the University of Memphis football games for over 55 years.

Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife of 52 years, Shearon Ann Thomas of Rossville; his daughter, Elizabeth Thomas Duncan of Collierville; two sons, Raymond F. Thomas and his wife, Michelle, of Rossville, John Martin Thomas and his wife, Michelle, of Collierville; his sister, Barbara Thomas Putt of Somerville; two brothers, Terry Thomas of Collierville, Bill Thomas of Ramer, Tennessee; seven grandchildren, Clif Duncan and his wife, Sarah, Megan Cartwright and her husband, Jason, Meredith Thomas, Ryan Thomas, Jake Messer, Madison Messer, Hannah Thomas; and two great-grandchildren, Jaxon Cartwright and Darby Duncan.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers were Ryan Thomas, Clif Duncan, David Elder, Wayne Thomas, Maurice Hunter, William Harris, Terry Thomas and Jason Cartwright.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the New Bethel United Methodist Church, c/o Marilyn Walker, 1290 Raleigh-LaGrange Drive, Rossville, TN 38066 or the American Diabetes Association, 5587 Murray Road, Suite 105, Memphis, TN 38119.