Dr. Marlon Franklin Thomas ("Pop"), age 70, of Gainesville, Georgia, peacefully went to be with the Lord surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Funeral services are scheduled for 3:00pm Sunday, January 4, 2009, at Sardis Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia with interment to follow in the Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery.
Rev. Lamar Rackley and Rev. Scott Culpepper will officiate and the following ministers will share remarks: Rev. Dee Keith, Rev. Ray Boutwell, Rev. Milton Harris, Rev. Jimmy Wright, and grandson Chase Reed.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 9pm Saturday, January 03, 2009 at Memorial Park Funeral Home North Riverside Chapel; and the family will also receive friends at the church on Sunday, where Dr. Thomas's remains will lie in state from 1:00 to 3:00pm Sunday prior to the service.
On May 15, 2008, Dr. Marlon F. Thomas, pastor of Sardis Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia, celebrated his 70th birthday and his 50th year in the ministry. Dr. Thomas has been described by all as "A man of God" who has lived a life dedicated to ministering and serving others.
Bro. Marlon was born into the family of Horace and Grace Collins Thomas of Pendergrass, GA in 1938. He attended Talmo Elementary School and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1956. He was "born again" at age 12 during VBS at Calvary Baptist Church of Gainesville. Bro. Marlon held his first job as a D.J. for the "Showboat" on WDUN Radio. He was later employed at The Citizens Bank. Bro Marlon soon felt God's calling upon his life into the ministry. His first pastorates were Pond Fork Baptist Church of Talmo and County Line Church of Cleveland. During this time, Bro. Marlon attended Truett McConnell College where he graduated in 1964 with an AA Degree. He then became the pastor of Sardis Baptist Church of Gainesville. Bro. Marlon moved to Decatur, Georgia where he served as the Associate Pastor and Youth Minister at the Glenn Haven Baptist Church.
He then married his wife of 42 years, Angelyn R. Thomas. They moved to Bethlehem, Georgia where Bro. Marlon served as the pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church. During this time, he and Angie had their firstborn, Chris. Bro. Marlon went on to be the pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Toccoa. He was then called back to Sardis Baptist Church of Gainesville where he and Angie had their daughter, Kimberly. He attended Antioch Bible College and Seminary where he received a BA in Bible and a Master's degree in Theology. During this time, he served as Minister of Music and taught music and Bible at the Seminary. Bro. Marlon and his family then moved to Hampton, Georgia where he was the pastor of the First Baptist Church . During this time, he taught at the Gwinnett-Hall Bible College where he received an Honorary Doctorate of Theology. Although he served in several locations, he continued to teach at Gwinnett-Hall for over 25 years. Bro. Marlon then became the pastor of the New Canaan Baptist Church in Dallas, Georgia. He was there for a short period of time when he felt God leading him back to Hampton.
In 1975, Bro. Marlon and several families constituted the Calvary Baptist Church of Hampton, Georgia. He and his family served here as part of a thriving ministry for the next sixteen years. For the following eight years, Bro. Marlon was the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lula, Georgia. He was then pastor of Antioch Baptist Church of Cumming. He then found his way back to Sardis Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia.
Bro. Marlon went to be with his Heavenly Father Friday evening, January 2, 2009, in his home surrounded by his family and friends.
Dr. Thomas is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 42 years, Angelyn (Reed) Thomas, Gainesville; mother, Grace Thomas, Talmo; son and daughter-in-law, Chris M. and Melanie Thomas, Talmo; daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Bobby Reed, Gainesville; grandchildren, Casey Thomas, Matthew Thomas, Chase Reed, Cameron Reed, Cory Thomas, and Conner Reed; brother and sister-in-law, Mahlon and Ann Thomas, Gainesville; sister-in-law, Linda Grizzle, Gainesville; brother and sister-in-law, Gilbert and Evelyn Reed, Oakwood; and many other family and friends also survive.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to the Sardis Baptist Church Building Fund, 2724 Sardis Church Road, Gainesville, Georgia 30506.
Memorial Park Funeral Home North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, Georgia.
