Mr. Thomas Dean Clay, age 42, of Jonesborough, TN was killed in an automobile accident on Friday, January 9, 2015.
Thomas was born in Ohio but was a true orange blooded Tennessean. He loved NASCAR races, football, fishing and hunting.
Mr. Clay was learning the banjo to play for church. His home church was Cherokee Community Independent Freewill Baptist.
He was employed by Gouge Construction He was a good hearted, one of a king person that would stop to help a stranger or dog on the road.
Thomas was preceded in death by his brother, Shawn Welch, father, George Thomas Clay, maternal grandparents, Berta & Dean Green, paternal grandparents, George & Edna Clay, mother-in-law, Betty Joe Tucker, special uncle, Charlie Rice, aunts, Laura Curtis and Sue Cutshaw.
Survivors are his wife of year and half, Lisa Tucker Clay; mother, Stella Calhoun; nephews, Josh Welch, Trevor Welch; great-nephew, Shawn Welch; special aunt & uncle, Jessie & James Britt; several cousins, and many friends including Franklin Painter.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM Friday, January 16, 2015 at the Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 AM Saturday, January 17, 2015 at Cherokee Community Independent Freewill Baptist Church with Preacher David Montgomery and Rev. Lynn Neas officiating. Interment services will follow at Seviers Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Franklin Painter, Chris Gray, Dewayne Graham, Brian Campbell, Ed Gouge, and Ronnie Francis. Honorary pallbearers will be David Smelcer, Estil, Coffie, Smoky, Football, Bear, Striper and Kitty.
The family request friends consider wearing orange and white for the service.
01/25/2015
Patrick, Ashley and kids
Lisa we are so sorry about you losing Thomas. It was a great hurt to our heart. He was a loving, kind man. Our family is praying for you and hurting with you.
In Jesus Light and Love,
Patrick, Ashley,Allie, and David
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
01/22/2015
lisa tucker clay
i looked into your eyes that morning and thought " i love you more today" and then you were gone. i will always love you.
01/21/2015
Conley and linda oaks
Lisa so sorry for your loss we met thomas a few times we came to his church and sang during revival and he came to our church buffalo valley fwb when we had our revival he was such a nice person.
Our thoughts and prayers are with u and your family.
01/16/2015
Kristi Daniels
I knew Thomas from when I worked at The Bay Station years
ago. He was a good hearted guy and could would give the
shirt off his back. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
May God Bless
01/16/2015
Glenda Honeycutt
Stella and Lisa, There are no words I can say to express my deep sympathy. Tommy was truly a great person. I knew him for years before I actually was introduced to him and found out his name. He was a true friend to anyone that knew him. If he was your friend he would do anything he could to help you if you needed him. On Mother's day one year I had stopped at the Roadrunner for gas and Tommy was there, even though I have no kids of my own, Tommy came over and wished me a Happy Mother's Day. I told him he knew I wasn't a Mother, he said he wanted to tell me just because of the holiday and I was a friend. Even though I haven't gotten to see him in a few years, I know in my heart that if I saw him, he would have stopped to talk to me. If Tommy ran into me he wherever it was, he would stop and ask how I was and talk for a while. Stella, there are no words I can offer except I am so sorry for your loss. Lisa, even though I never got to meet you I know that you had turned Tommy's life around and made him faithful to God. You both have an Angel to watch over you now and one day you will all be reunited in Heaven. My heart goes out to you. Tommy will be missed and I will never pass a white truck with Tennessee Orange on it that I won't think of him. God Bless You Both.
01/16/2015
Family of Ricky Morrrow
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this most difficult time.We are truly sorry. Please accept our deepest sympathy.
01/14/2015
Joe & Kim Clawson
Tommy, you were a good hearted man who always made us laugh. You were the first neighbor we met when we bought our place. You made us feel welcome from the beginning. Thank you. We miss you and will always remember your kindness.
01/14/2015
Marjorie Brooks Kipps
Stella Mae: So sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers
I had the pleasure of knowing Tommy for several years, when we met and he realized I was married to Wade, one of his friends, I immediately became his friend too. That was all Tommy needed to know about me to accept me. He was a wonderful guy, always had a ready smile and was always ready to argue with me about football. I always knew if I seen Tommy at the store, I might as well settle in and talk for atleast 15-20 minutes before I could even consider saying goodbye. He was a one of a kind guy and the world is colder and darker without him today. I am sorry for his family, life without him will never be quite as happy as the last 42 years have been.
01/14/2015
shirley cutshall
Dear family,
Please accept my deepest love and sympathy. I have been praying for you since I heard of the accident. May god comfort you as only He can.
Your sister in Christ Shirley Cutshall
01/14/2015
John añd Norma Montgomery
We will miss Thomas, but will look forward to
meeting him again in Heaven. Thomas had a special
place in all our hearts no one else can fill.
01/14/2015
Michael & Sarah Montgomery & Kids
Lisa,
We are so sorry for your loss... Please know that you are in our thoughts & prayers.
01/14/2015
Carol Hensley {HSN}
Lisa and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. My deepest sympathy.
Tommy was a real close friend! He was the toughest guy I have ever known! He had a real big heart too. I`m really going to miss my friend.
01/13/2015
John añd Norma Montgomery
We will miss Thomas, but will look forward to
meeting him again in Heaven. Thomas had a special
place in all our hearts no one else can fill.
Tommy was one of the funniest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He and my husband Wade were friends, and that's all Tommy needed to know for he and I to immediately be friends as well. I loved arguing with him about football, you could count on talking to him for atleast 15-20 minutes if you said hello to him. I had not seen him in a while, but I know if I had there would have been no change in our friendship. The world is darker and colder without him in it, and I will miss him. I am so sorry for his family and friends who were closer to him than me, if I miss him this bad I can't imagine their pain. God bless you all
