Matthew Thomas Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Matthew Edward Thomas, 37, of Mildred, Texas went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 13, 2022. He was at home surrounded by family and those that loved him most when he took his final breath. Matt was born to Daniel and Sharon Nevill Thomas in Charleston, South Carolina on January 16, 1985. In his early years, he grew up in a Naval family moving between South Carolina and Virginia until his dad completed his services and moved the family back home to Corsicana, TX where Matt began to plant roots in the community and baseball fields. Matt spent his high school years at Rice High School where he participated in every sport imaginable. He continued to make more friendships and met the love of his life, Ashley “Ciji” Nichole Owen Thomas. Matt graduated high school on May 31, 2003 and married Ashley on June 1, 2003. Matt took his vows and duty as a husband seriously as he worked hard for his family and to be an example of a Christian man. On November 17, 2003, Matt and Ashley welcomed their first son, Haydin Matthew Drey Thomas and a second son, Holdin Rilynn Noah Thomas on July 20, 2007. They were his pride and joy. God, family, and baseball were Matt’s priorities. Through his coaching, many youths in the Mildred and Corsicana areas learned, from Matt, many precious life lessons. Matt loved big, and this showed through his words and actions towards others. In his too short of time here, Matt loved God big, his family and friends big, and loved baseball, cooking, and having a good time with those he cared about big. Matt was a man of immense faith. He could be seen in church, praying with his team on the field, or simply asking others to pray with him or for him, especially as his fight against cancer prolonged. For at least five long years, Matt kept the faith and fought the good fight against cancer, along with his loving wife Ashley, his two boys, and many family members and numerous friends. Ashley was a loving wife to Matt as seen through her strength, perseverance, and courage while nursing him throughout his illness. Ashley continues to find comfort through God’s word such as in Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Until the Lord called Matt home, he remained faithful to our Lord. “By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24. Matt truly believed in these words and was baptized in young adulthood and again in a recent hospital stay. He believed that through Christ, there is eternal life. His family believe with all their hearts that Matt has been healed. Because of our faith in the Lord, we know that through Christ, we will see our Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, Friend, and Coach again. Thessalonians 4:13-14 “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” Isaiah 57:1-2 Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die. Matt was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Wade Lee Thomas and Joan Carrol Schrier Thomas, and maternal PaPa Lee Edwin Nevill. He was also preceded in death by Grandpa Jim Swaney, Uncle Kevin Riggs, and great grandmother Jewel Pair. He is survived by his wife, Ashley and two sons, Haydin and Holdin; maternal Granny Joyce “Doylene” Nevill; grandma-in-law Jan Swaney; parents, Daniel and Sharon Thomas; father-in-law Ricky Owen and wife Lisa; mother-in-law Cristie Owen and partner Spencer Wilson; sister Emily “Becky” Thomas; brother-in-law Jeremy Owen and wife Jessica; nieces and nephews Bailey Watson, Gracie Owen, Krislynn Owen, Collin Watson, Kinzler Owen, and William “Will” Thedford; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and baseball players. Pallbearers are sons Haydin and Holdin Thomas, father-in-law Ricky Owen, brother-in-law Jeremy Owen, cousin, Bryce Riggs, and friend Bobby Shaw. Honorary Pallbearers are TJ Fowler, Jeff Price, Brian Wing, Sean Bynum, Eric Singleton, Chris Holeman, Taylor Greenup, Billy Smalls, Jake Anderson, and so many more… Visitation will be held Thursday, March 17, 2022 from 6pm-8pm at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be 1:00 pm Friday, March 18, 2022, at Trinity Assembly of God on West Hwy 31 and FM 2452 Corsicana, TX 75110. Donations to help the family with funeral expenses are welcome.

Matthew Thomas

January 16, 1985 - March 13, 2022