Matthew Oliver Thomas

Matthew (Mack) Thomas, 94, of Corryton, Tennessee passed into the arms of his beloved Lord and Savior on January 25, 2022. Mack was reunited with the love of his life, Lila, who passed just 41 days before him. Mack was one of ten children born to William and Martha Thomas of Washburn. He learned his hard-work ethic growing up on a farm, but also his neatness because he had to take good care of the few possessions he had. At age 18, Mack joined the Marines and trained at Parris Island, South Carolina, but was honorable discharged when WWII ended. He then traveled the country and spent 2 years in California with his brother, Fred. Mack loved to play the guitar and sing and briefly lived in Nashville with hopes to get discovered. Afterward, he moved to Knoxville where he met and married Lillian (Lila) Huling and together they enjoyed 67 years of marriage. He worked as a crane operator for Dempster Brothers for 33 years. Mack was one of the founders to help build Emory Valley Baptist Church where he and Lila faithfully attended and served. He and his brother, Bob, sang in revivals, church singing events, and homecomings all over East Tennessee for 35 years. Mack could fix just about anything with items he had in his tool shed. In fact, he created a top for his riding lawnmower to shield his head from the sun. Mack loved the Atlanta Braves and was thrilled to see them win the World Series last year. His greatest loves were his family and his church. To know Mack was to love him. He never met a stranger and you could instantly know this man had a big heart for people and a love for Jesus. He will always be remembered with this saying, “I love you, and I can’t help it.” He was preceded in death by parents William and Martha Thomas; sister, Agatha (Neil) Haynes; brothers, Jim, Fred (Bernice), Charlie (Marion), Frank (Catherine), Jesse, Bob, Ford (Loretta), and John (Virginia). He is survived by son, Ted (Linda) Thomas; daughters, Linda (Allan) Taylor and Tandy (Stan) Stratton; grandchildren, Kelly (Ben) Webb, Angie (Robb) Seahorn, Jacob Taylor, Heather (Josh) West, Shannon Forbs, Nathaniel Thomas, Matt (Brittney) Thomas, Brandon and Cameron Stratton; great grandchildren, Braden and Ainsley Webb, Cooper Seahorn, Mackenzie and Adam West, Isaiah and Braylon Forbs, Madison, Blakely and Braxton Thomas, Amelia and Caroline Stratton; sisters-in-law, Ruth and Ruby Thomas and Juanita Biddle; and numerous nieces and nephews he dearly loved. The family will receive friends Saturday, February 5, 2022, 12:00-2:00 pm at Rutledge Pike Missionary Baptist Church, 10316 Rutledge Pike, Corryton, Tennessee 37721. The funeral service will follow, 2:00-3:00 pm with burial immediately following in the cemetery behind the church. The service can be viewed via livestream at www.facebook.com/hallslivestream. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to his beloved church, Emory Valley Baptist Church, 6124 E. Emory Rd, Knoxville, TN 37918. Mynatt Funeral Home Halls Chapel, 4131 E. Emory Rd, Knoxville, Tennessee 37938, is in charge. Condolences for the family may be shared at www.mynattfh.com.