Thomas B. Greer

Thomas B. Greer was born on a feather bed in a community of cotton farmers on November 21st, 1921, the son of Aubry Ellis and Laura Ellen Greer. He was the fourth of five boys. He spent his childhood working on the modest family farm in Macedonia, Mississippi. His beloved mother, known as “Mrs. Laura,” died when he was 13 years old. His father later married “Mrs. Bulia,” who took on this household of rowdy boys. At the age of 17, Thomas married his childhood sweetheart, Carman Lavel Messar. Their wedding day was Carman’s 16th birthday, and they took their vows in the middle of a dirt road illuminated by car lights.

Thomas worked as a machinist in Detroit, Michigan before the Second World War. He was drafted into the army at age 20 and served his country bravely in seven major campaigns, including Bastogne, Battle of the Bulge, Normandy, Rhine, and Black Forest. After the war, he worked briefly as an orderly at the Kennedy View Hospital in Memphis before being hired as a firefighter for the Memphis Fire Department. During his career, he rose to the position of Lieutenant. He and Carman also ran a handyman business out of their home, where Thomas built and repaired small motors, alternators, and starters for cars and boats. After retiring from the fire department, Thomas completed his GED and began a new career as a locksmith.

Thomas and Carman had three children: Laura May, Kenny Ray, and Tommie Renee. Laura is married to Frank Plunk and they have two children (Stacy Plunk and Clay Plunk) and three grandchildren (Fawna, Falcon, and Greta). Kenny is married to Robbie and they have three children (Dax Greer, Renee Edgar, and Jennifer Reed), six grandchildren (Jessica, Tyler, Jake, Rachel, Josee, and Jon Paul), and three great-grandchildren (Ava, Emma, and Molly). Renee is married to Stan Wells and they have two children (Kyle Wells and Noah Wells) and one grandchild (Niamh). Thomas was known as “Papaw” by his seven grandchildren. The ten great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren knew him as “Pops” or “Pop Greer.”

Thomas had many hobbies and talents. He and Carman kept a garden, which fed the whole neighborhood, and they loved to go fishing together. Thomas always loved the outdoors and trained dogs for rabbit hunting. He also loved music—he wrote songs and played in a band that entertained all over the Memphis area. “The Mud Island Boogie” was a family favorite. He discovered a love for dancing in his golden years.

Thomas was a compassionate man and he loved using his talents to help those in need. He mentored and trained a young paraplegic man to build motors and generators so that he could start his own business. He also built his own home and the home next-door using supplies he got from the demolition of the Kennedy View Hospital.

One of Thomas’s greatest passions in life was his love for Jesus Christ. He loved to share the gospel. He and Carman rented their basement apartment to Mormon missionaries for a season, and they spent many evenings rocking on the front porch and talking about Jesus with them. This family grew to love the Greers dearly and kept in touch long after their mission was over. Thomas loved his church, serving as a deacon, driving the church bus, assisting with the prison ministry, and helping wherever there was a need. In his later life, he was always quick to point others toward his one true hope—that one day he would be forever with his Lord and Savior.

Thomas’ family cordially invite all to a gathering on Sunday, the 14th of August from one o’clock in the afternoon until services begin at two o’clock all at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119. Services will be led by grandson Kyle Wells and family friend Kim Wiggins.

The family requests that any memorial gifts be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences and floral gifts may be given through www.memphisfuneralhome.net.