Mr. W. Preston Thomas

We have received word of the death of Mr. Willard Preston Thomas III on Sunday, July 25, 2021 at Cleveland Regional Hospital in Shelby.  He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Grace Padgett Thomas; three children: Pam Todd (Chris), Kendall Frye (Jamie) and Melissa Thomas; four grandchildren; Judas Todd, Norah Frye, Levi Frye, and Benjamin Frye; one brother, Robert Thomas (Tammy); and a number of nieces and nephews.  A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, July 30, 2021 at 3:00pm at Minneapolis Methodist Church, 2719 US-19E, Newland, NC 28657, with the Reverend Jamie Shell and Brian Griffin officiating.  Interment will be held at the Minneapolis Methodist Church Cemetery.  There are two opportunities for visitation with the family: on Thursday, July 29, from 6:00-8:00pm at the Chapel of Beam Funeral Service, 2170 Rutherford Rd, Marion, NC 28752, and on Friday, one hour prior to the service from 2:00-3:00pm at Minneapolis Methodist Church.  The Thomas family requests that everyone wears a mask and adhere to social distancing during all events.  Flowers are appreciated, or in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Camp Funshine, 40 Log Cabin Lane, Burnsville, NC 28714.
 
Preston’s history with the conference is: 91 Old Fort-Bethel; 94 Discontinued; 00 Reinstated; 00 Minneapolis; 04 Minneapolis-Elk Park; 19 Concord (Marion); 20 No Appointment.