Thomas W. “Tommy” Childress, age 64, of Port Haywood, Va., passed away peacefully and unexpectedly with his wife, children and family by his side on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015.
He was born June 24, 1950 in Richmond, Va., to Tony “Buck” and Thelma Childress but lived his entire life in Mathews County.
He worked for Chesapeake Auto Service with his father for 18 years, Revere Gas for 12 years and then ran his own business, Childress Handyman, for 14 years. He loved being self-employed and spending time working with his tractor. He attended Beulah United Methodist Church, New Point, in his growing-up years. He was a member of the Mathews Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years.
Tommy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He enjoyed life and many different things through the years from fishing, boating, four-wheeling, to riding a motorcycle.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Rawland White. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Paulette; a son, Tony Childress; a daughter, Paula Newhouse and husband Seavert; grandchildren, Natalie and Whitley James, Mallory Childress and Bryce Newhouse; a sister, Mary Ann Del Rosso and husband Carl, and their dog, Mazie, who spent most of her time in his lap. He is also survived by close friend and working buddy, Chris White; special friend, Tom “Shorty” Justice, and his aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He worked hard, brought laughter to all around him and enjoyed his second family at Lynne’s Restaurant. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
The family will receive friends in Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home, Mathews, Va., from 6-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, in Beulah United Methodist Church, New Point, Va., with burial to follow in St. Paul Cemetery, Susan, Va.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Tommy’s memory to the Mathews Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 1130, Mathews, Va. 23109 or to Beulah United Methodist Church, 5555 New Point Comfort Highway, Susan, Va. 23163.