Patricia Porter Thomas

Patricia Porter Thomas, age 65, passed from this life as a result of cancer Friday October 24, 2025. Trish was born June 26, 1960 in Nashville TN, the daughter of the late Peggy and Ray Porter of Columbia TN. Trish grew up in Columbia and attended Baker Elementary followed by Central High before moving to Knoxville to attend The University of Tennessee where she graduated in 1981 with a Special Education degree. While living in Knoxville she met her husband and best friend Allison (Al) Thomas, whom she later married in 1983. She moved to Denver to live with him while he finished his degree in Hotel Restaurant Management. Afterwards, Trish and Al moved around the country in the restaurant business while Trish taught Special Education in various cities. She ended up in Nashville in 1995 and built a home in Bellevue on 16 acres where she could raise her family and tend to her horses. She lived in that home for 30 years until her passing.

Trish was a great equestrian and was well known in the Fox Hunting community, initially hunting with The Mell’s Hounds as a teenager and then with Hillsboro Hounds later in life. She raised her two girls to be equestrians with daughter Cate becoming an Equestrian Vaulting champion. Both girls, Cate and MaryAllison, learned the disciplines of the horse world from their mother, lessons that have lasted a lifetime.

Trish was also an avid angler and enjoyed bass fishing on Center Hill Lake and Trout fishing on the Caney Fork River and on the Missouri River in Montana. Trish and Al built a cabin, The Eagles Nest, and a guest house, The Owl’s Nest, above Center Hill Lake in 2000 where Trish enjoyed relaxing in the wooded setting and entertaining friends and family for various occasions. Trish also was a great offshore angler and landed many large fish from their boat, Eagle. She and Al bought a family cottage in 2016 that was built in 1918 in Josephine Alabama where she also enjoyed entertaining friends and family as well as many fishing excursions.

Her most recent adventures included multiple trips to Utah and Montana to either wrangle cattle or pleasure ride in the mountains with daughter Cate along with Al and grandson Jetton. She and Al spent their 40th anniversary at The Paws Up Resort where they rode together and went Trout fishing on the Missouri River.

Trish is survived by Al Thomas, her husband of 43 years, her brothers Ed Porter (Ran Ying) and Tom Porter (Deb- deceased) plus her two daughters, MaryAllison Willis (Seth) and Peggy Cates Buchanon (Jackson). She was blessed with 5 grandchildren, Jetton and Piper Willis plus Evelyn, Georgie and Penny Buchanon.

The family will visit with friends on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 12:30 to 1:30 at St. Georges Episcopal Church located at 4715 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN. The service will follow at 1:30 in the main chapel.

The family wishes to thank all of Trish’s friends that have supported her throughout her cancer battle, especially the staff at Alive Hospice, who cared for Trish during her final days. It was Trish’s wish that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203 or to the charity of your choice. Notes of Sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com.