Thomas Stringfield

Thomas Edward (Tommy) Stringfield, age 79 of Rockwood, Tennessee (formerly of
Sunbright, TN) joined his heavenly family on June 25, 2014. Tommy was with his
daughter and son when he took Jesus' hand and began his final journey home. Tommy
was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and
friend who will be sadly missed by those he leaves behind. He fought a brief but
debilitating battle with a recurrence of cancer that returned after a 15-year
remission. The resurgent cancer spread to his bones and spine resulting in a
difficult 4-month decline until he slipped into a peaceful rest on Wednesday.

Tommy Stringfield was born on November 13, 1934 at the family home place on Mud
Street in New River, Tennessee located in Scott County. He was the third son born
to Albert and Oma Stringfield. Tommy was married to his high school sweetheart
Barbara Fairchild at her parents' home on Pea Ridge in Sunbright on May 4, 1955.
They had an enduring marriage until Barbara passed away in 2011. During their 56
years of marriage they were blessed with the birth of 3 children, 2 grandchildren
and 2 great-grandchildren. They also endured the heart-breaking loss of one of
their 3 children as a newborn.

As a teenager Tommy was a talented basketball player during his high school years at
Sunbright. He was frequently in the sports pages as one of the top scorers in the
East Tennessee area and on at least 2 occasions he scored more points
single-handedly than the entire opposing team. He was given the nickname "Bevo" by
his coach and it was often used in the news articles. The nickname came from
Clarence "Bevo" Francis who was a record setting scorer for a college team at the
same time Tommy was playing at Sunbright.

After graduation from Sunbright and his marriage to Barbara, Tommy embarked on
several short-term jobs including working at a saw mill with his brother and driving
a log truck before settling into a long-term career with the Tennessee Department of
Corrections in 1965. Tommy's career with Corrections began at Brushy Mountain
Prison in Petros and eventually he moved to the main prison in Nashville where he
remained until his retirement with 33 years of service in 1998. After retirement he
and Barbara moved to Fairview, Tennessee where he began a part-time career working
for 10 more years in the seafood department of the West Nashville Wal-mart
Supercenter. He remained active and employed until 2009 when the health of his wife
required him to return home permanently to care for her with the assistance of his
son until her passing in October 2011. After Barbara's death Tommy and his son, Tim
moved back to Rockwood where he remained until his death.

Tommy was preceded in death by his beloved father Albert "Daddy Albert" Stringfield
and his devoted mother Oma Goad Stringfield; his loving wife Barbara Jean
Stringfield; a newborn son Thomas Edward Stringfield, Jr. and his inspiring brothers
Nathaniel W. Stringfield and Albert Stringfield, Jr. who were both military
veterans.

He is survived by his loving daughter Teresa Lynn LaRue and husband Terry; his
devoted son Tim Stringfield; cherished grandchildren Christopher A. Stewart and
April Durham-Thrasher; two wonderful great-grandchildren Chistopher Matthew Thrasher
and Madison Renee Thrasher along with several nieces and nephews and their families
including a very special "sister-niece" Donna Jane Maples.

The family will receive friends, Saturday, June 28, 2014 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
at Schubert Funeral Home in Sunbright. Funeral Services will follow at 12:00 PM
with Bro. Herb Judkins officiating. Interment will be in the Sunbright Cemetery,
Sunbright Tennessee.

The family wishes to acknowledge a deep gratitude to those who have agreed to be
pallbearers for Tommy including his nephews Randall Stringfield and Doug
Stringfield; his grandson Christopher Stewart; former son-in-law Tim Stewart and two
dear family friends Chuck Bales and Roger Shields.