Fate Lynn Thomas Sr.

Born on April 8, 1933 to the late Edward H. Thomas and Annie Woods Thomas, Fate grew up in his beloved town of Sweetwater, TN. It was there, near the front steps of Sweetwater Methodist Church, that he received his call to the Gospel Ministry. He was ordained as a minister on January 30, 1955 at Sweetwater First Baptist Church. Being chosen as a spokesperson to proclaim the gospel of redemption to mankind was an honor that he accepted with great awe and thankfulness. His life was one of service to others and a deep love for his family. Barbara, his wife of 58 years, was the “love of his life” and served alongside him during his ministry with creativity and great compassion for others. Fate’s children and grandchildren were a source of great joy and pride throughout his lifetime.

He was a graduate of the Tennessee Military Institute (1951), University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1951-1954), Carson Newman College, B.A. (1956), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Master of Theology, (1960), and also completed Special Studies in Archaeology, Southeastern Baptist Seminary (1961) and Archaeological Study Tours of the Middle East.

Fate served as the Minister of the following churches; Fairview Baptist, Sweetwater, TN (1954-1956), Bear Creek Baptist, Bear Creek, N.C., (1957-1959), Franklinton Baptist, Franklinton, N.C. (1959-1962), Ridgeview Baptist, Chattanooga, TN (1962-1976), First Baptist, Etowah, TN (1976-1978), Associate Staff Minister, First Baptist Church, Chattanooga, TN (1979), and Memorial Baptist, Chattanooga, TN, (1979-1981). Fate’s greatest passion in the Ministry was his 25 years of service as Executive Director of CONTACT of Chattanooga, a 24 hour telephone crisis intervention and counseling ministry. He served with great compassion and tireless energy in this position during the years 1981 until 1999, returning several years later as interim director for six additional years. He was grateful for the many dear friends from each church he served who enriched his life.

As an Interim Pastor, he served for Concord Baptist, East Brainerd Baptist, Frawley Baptist, Ashland Terrace Christian, Lookout Valley Baptist, all of Chattanooga, TN, First Baptist, Daisy, TN, First Baptist Church, Whitwell, TN, First Baptist Church of Lakeview, Rossville, GA, Trento Street Baptist, Harriman, TN, Memorial Baptist, East Lake Baptist, both of Chattanooga, TN, Peavine Baptist, Rock Springs, GA, First Baptist Church, Chickamauga, GA, Ridegeview Baptist, Chattanooga, TN, First Baptist Church, Ft. Oglethorpe, GA, and Grace Works, Chattanooga, TN.

He was very active in the community and had served in the past on the following boards and committees; Credentials Committee, Tar River Baptist Association, N.C. (1960), Business & Industrial Committee, Hamilton County Baptist Association (1963-1964), Social Service Committee, Hamilton County Baptist Association (1966-1969, 1972), Publicity Committee, Hamilton County Baptist Association (1966-1969, 1972), Camp Hacoba Board of Directors, One Term, Baptist Student Advisory Board, UTC (1969-1971), Assembly Committee, Hamilton County Association (1971-1974, 1976), President of Baptist Pastor’s Conference, Stewardship/Finance Committee, McMinn Baptist Association (1976-1978), Trustee of Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home (1975-1979), Chairman of Finance Committee, Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home (1981), Chairman of Min-Tom Committee Children’s Home (1982), Board Member of Industrial Chaplains, Chattanooga, TN (1983-1984), V-President of Clergy Association of Greater Chattanooga (1983-1984).

He was the Past President of the Civitan Club of Chattanooga and had also served as a Board Member and Club Chaplain.

His personal interests and hobbies included hiking, model planes, sports and World War II history.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Chattanooga.

Along with his parents, Fate was preceded in death by sister Mary Jane Thomas, brother Ed Thomas, Jr., sister Katherine Loomis, and sister Evelyn Pender.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Barnett Thomas; sons Fate Lynn, Jr (Susan) Thomas and Marc (Angie) Thomas; daughter Rachel Ann Thomas; and grandchildren Matthew (Chelsea) Thomas, Anna Thomas and Brooks Thomas.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday at the First Baptist Church, 401 Gateway Avenue, with Rev. Don Givens, Rev. Dan Scott and Dr. Thomas Quisenberry officiating. Burial will be in Westview Cemetery, Sweetwater, TN. Archie Myers, Dr. Bill Rowe, Jack Duggan, Lebron Sterchie, Fate Lynn Thomas, Jr., Marc Thomas, Matthew Thomas and Brooks Thomas will serve as pallbearers. The Water’s Sunday School Class will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m., Friday, June 27th at the funeral home and from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 28th at First Baptist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen Organization at www.komen.org

Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com

Arrangements by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, East Chapel, 404 South Moore Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.