Arlis Gray Thomas, 92, died in Christ November 2, 2023. He was born in Woodbury, TN on June 30, 1931, and married Mary Ruth Harmon on March 10, 1951. After serving in the United States Army, Arlis worked at the General Motors plant near Niles, Michigan and later moved to Paris, IL and worked as a sharecropper until 1971. Then, he and Ruth moved back to Woodbury to continue his father’s legacy of building porch rockers for almost 50 years.
Arlis loved to watch Westerns, collect antiques, play poker, travel, and read, especially anything by Louis L’Amour. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren and had a soft spot for animals. He was a member of the Pleasant View church of Christ.
Arlis was preceded in death by his parents, Shelah and Amby Gerdellia Thomas; his wife, Ruth Thomas; his daughter, Sharon Cecil; and several brothers and sisters.
Survivors include his son-in-law, Alvin Cecil; grandchildren, Patrick (Karie) Cecil, Jeremy (Sarah) Cecil, Joy Cecil, and John Thomas (Jesse) McCecil; great-grandchildren, Trent, Cathan, Megan, Charlee, Katherine, and Jason; sister, Thelma Hicks; and many loved nieces and nephews.
The family will receive family and friends from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, November 5, 2023 and from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on Monday, November 6, 2023. at the Woodbury Funeral Home, 504 W. Main St. Woodbury, TN. 37190. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, November 6, 2023 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Ivy Bluff Cemetery.
Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave conoldences and memories for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net