Robert Clay Thomas, Sr.

Mr. Robert Clay Thomas, Sr., passed away on Friday, December 22, 2023, at Avista Nursing & Rehab in Saginaw, Michigan. Age 81 years. He was born March 16, 1942, in Holly Springs, Mississippi, to Andrew Barley Thomas and Louella Scott Thomas. Robert’s mother passed away when he was only five years old. Robert’s father married Inna Walton in 1951.

Soon after becoming a teenager, Robert went to Memphis, Tennessee where he met his longtime brother-in-law, Samuel Clayton. After their friendship grew, Robert met JohnElla Clayton, and they were married in 1961. They moved to Pontiac, Michigan, and finally to Saginaw, Michigan, where they settled and raised their family. Robert later married Tammy Fuller. They loved to play Bingo across the country. Robert loved to race cars. He and his brother, Sammy, built and raced cars and they received numerous awards and trophies. Robert relocated to his favorite city, Saginaw, in 2022. He took great pride in caring for his son, Mitchell, and grandson, DeShawn. They enjoyed having breakfasts and dinners together. We are sure this well-spent time kept him going. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Mr. Thomas is survived by a daughter, Renae Thomas (Robert) Richardson; a son, Robert Clay (Anna Marie) Thomas Jr., a daughter, Monica Thomas (Paul) Roby, and their youngest daughter, Melissa Thomas “Eugene “Beep” Burton; stepdaughter, Brenda Clayton (Naquin) Brooks; he had a special love for his stepson Takiree “Man Man” Laury; stepchildren also includes Travon Simon and Neffertiti Laury; four children from another relationship, Roger, Mitchell, Kristine, and Matthew Swain; grandchildren, Cortea Thomas (Aaron) Shropshire, Tiesha Hardy, Bionca Hardy (Antione) Mitchell, LaTeasha (Demetrious) Hellen, Rena Thomas, Katrina Thomas (MarkShaun) Williams, Robert Thomas III, DeShawn Thomas, Diamond Roby, Faith and Immanuel Burton, Marquaion Reese, Shawteona Williams, Makhia Swain, Matthew Swain, Jr.; Robert is also survived by his siblings, twins, Verna Thomas Shipp and Virgil Thomas (Freddie) Malone; Billy Ray (Julie) Thomas of Holly Springs, Mississippi; a longtime friend, Beverly Sanders, as well as many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Mr. Thomas was preceded in death by his mother, Louella Scott; father, Andrew Barley Thomas; stepmother, Inna Walton Thomas; siblings: brother, James Thomas, sister, Inez Thomas, brothers, Ouris Thomas and Andrew Thomas Jr., sisters, Annie Ruth Thomas Brown, Eddie Mae Thomas Moore, and granddaughter, Kayanna Dudley.