Thomas Allen Ligon, born May 31, 1943, passed away on March 6, 2026, at the age of 82 with his wife whom he adored, and his children by his side.  Thomas graduated from John Rundle High School before attending Mississippi State University.  While at Mississippi State, he was an active member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, where he was honored as Model Pledge, reflecting the character and leadership that others quickly recognized in him. During his freshman year, he was also elected President of the Freshman Class, an early indication of the respect he earned from his peers.

While in college, a fraternity brother convinced Thomas to earn his private pilot’s license, and he quickly caught the flying bug. He once hoped to join the Air Force, but an eye condition was discovered that prevented him from pursuing that dream.  Thomas began his career working for his father-in-law at Allen Chevrolet until the dealership was sold. He later transitioned to a position with IBM in Memphis. He valued the experience of working for IBM, but his heart always pulled him back home to the land and his family farm.

Farming was not simply a career for Thomas - it was his calling.  He returned home to farm alongside his father and brother, growing cotton, soybeans, corn, and peanuts, and raising cattle. In his early years of farming, he was honored as Young Farmer of the Year, a recognition of his dedication to agriculture and the farming community. He also served on multiple USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA) committees. After Thomas retired from farming, he still loved going to the farm every day.

Thomas was a lifelong and devoted member of First Baptist Church. In his younger years, he taught young men in Royal Ambassadors, investing in the next generation. Later in life, he served faithfully as Chairman of the Ushers, a role he loved because it allowed him to welcome others each Sunday morning. Greeting people at church brought him great joy. 

Thomas was known for his steady presence and quiet sense of humor. He valued hard work, loyalty, and time spent with family and friends. Those who knew him appreciated his dependable nature and the calm confidence he brought to every part of life.  

Travel was one of Thomas’s favorite hobbies. He loved snow skiing and enjoyed visiting Europe and Hawaii, which became his happy place. One of his greatest joys was sharing those trips with his family. He was thankful to take all four of his grandchildren to Hawaii and two of them to Alaska, creating memories that will be treasured for a lifetime.

Thomas is survived by his wife, whom he was married to for 62 years, Melanie Allen Ligon; his daughter, Lanie Ligon Sandridge of Maitland, FL (Glenn); his son, Allen Ligon of Oxford, MS (Kendall); and his four cherished grandchildren, Jack Ligon, Charlie Ligon, Melanie Sandridge, and Allen Sandridge.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas (T.A.) Ligon and Sybil Ligon, his brother Jimmy Ligon, and his sister Allene Ligon Allen.

Thomas was known for his steady presence and quiet sense of humor. He was a man of few words, so when he spoke, people listened. He valued education, hard work, loyalty, and time spent with family and friends. He will be remembered through the lives of his children and grandchildren and the faith and values he passed on to them.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, March 27, 2026 at First Baptist Church, Grenada, MS.  The family will gather with friends one hour prior to service.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to First Baptist Church, 450 Faith Drive, Grenada, MS 38901 or Orangewood Christian School Fine Arts Department, 1300 West Maitland Blvd, Maitland, FL, 32751 in honor of Thomas Ligon.