Charles Edwin Thomas, under the care of Sanctuary Home Hospice passed away at his residence on Jan. 10, 2019, at 2:44 p.m. He was 86 years old and born in Haleyville, Alabama on June 15, 1932, to the late Clarence Dewey Thomas and Vera Hollingsworth Thomas. He graduated from Haleyville High School and attended Auburn Polytechnic University, now Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama where he received a B.S degree in Industrial Management and Engineering in 1954.

He later completed post-graduate studies. He served in the U.S Army from 1957-1959 and was assigned to the National Aeronautical Space Agency
in Huntsville, Alabama.

He was employed with the National Security Agency in Washington D.C for a time
before returning to Mississippi where he worked in various manufacturing plants, his chosen field.

He was
employed by Denton Mills in New Albany for 16 years prior to being the founder and owner of Albany Apparel in
New Albany. He sold the plant in 1994 and retired.

His hobbies were golf, gardening and woodworking. He was a Christian and the beloved husband of Chrystelle (Chris) Thomas, whom he married on Aug. 29, l975.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vera and Clarence Thomas; and two sisters, Reecie Piechowicz
and Fairie Thomas.

The family received friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 13, 2019, at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors.  Private graveside services were held at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Chris; his daughter,  Patricia Cox  and husband, Tim of Columbus; his stepson, Mark Blackwell (Lori) and granddaughter, Cara Blackwell all of San Antonio, Texas, his brother, Dwight Thomas (Trudy) of Haleyville, Alabama and two nephews, Craig and Chad Thomas.

Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice, P.O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS, 38802 or the
Salvation Army, 527 Carnation Street, Tupelo, MS, 38804.

Condolences may be e-mailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net