MAYODAN — Thomas J. White, 81, went home to be with Jesus Sunday, October 21, 2012, surrounded by his loving family at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital.

Tommy's funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, October 26, 2012 at Ray Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Mark Cranford officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Mayodan Municipal Cemetery.

A Rockingham County native, Tommy was born March 17, 1931, the son of Jim R. and Della Martin White. Tommy was a proud graduate of Mayodan High School. During the Korean conflict he served in the United States Marine Corps. He was of the Baptist faith and attended New Life Baptist Church. Tommy retired from the U.S. Postal Service with 31 years of service.

In addition to his parents, Tommy was preceded in death by his son Timothy Ray White.

Tommy is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mary B. White of the home; his daughter, Lynn Byland and husband, Tim of Nashville, TN; his sister, Mildred Wall and husband, Phil of Madison; three special sisters-in-law, Lib Purgason of Mayodan, Bonnie Roberts of Madison and Virginia Bowden of Walnut Cove; special nieces, Anna Holland and Lisa Angel of Madison and Carly Purgason and Sara Purgason of Greensboro; special nephews, Danny Holland and Philip Wall of Madison and Keith Purgason of Greensboro and many other special friends and family.

Tommy loved reading, fishing and working crossword puzzles. He was a wonderful husband, a father, a great brother and a good neighbor. Tommy loved everybody and will be missed by all.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, October 25, 2012 at Ray Funeral Home and other times at the family home. Online condolences may be sent to www.rayfuneralhome.com

Flowers will be appreciated or memorials may be sent to New Life Baptist Church, 1201 Bald Hill Loop Road, Madison, NC 27025.

Ray Funeral Home in Madison is serving the White family.