Thomas Norris "Tom" Stevens Sr.

Thomas Norris “Tom” Stevens, Sr., 91, of Chattanooga, Tennessee passed away on Saturday, October 15, 2022, peacefully at home. He was a longtime active member of St. John United Methodist Church where he enjoyed being involved in all aspects of church activities. He was a current member of Silverdale Baptist Church. He was active in the Scottish Rite and Masonic Lodge where he earned his 33rd degree.

Tom was born and raised in Savannah, GA and graduated from Savannah High School. His father was a freight sales manager for the NC & St. L Railroad and his mother was a homemaker. At age 13, Tom was certified as a ground observer for the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII where his job was identification of enemy aircraft and submarines along the coast. At age 18, he joined the Georgia Air National Guard and when the Korean Conflict began, his unit was activated into the US Air Force. Tom was subsequently honorably discharged as a sergeant in Smyrna AFB, TN.

Soon afterwards in 1953, he began working for the American Mutual Insurance Company, which started his long and successful career in the insurance industry. He was the branch manager for the American Mutual Ins. Co. in Knoxville, Atlanta, and finally Chattanooga where he was consistently in the top 5% of the company’s sales force. In 1973, Tom helped form Rowland, Daniels and Stevens Insurance Agency. The agency grew rapidly and became one of the top agencies in Chattanooga. Upon his retirement, he started a new agency with his son, Chuck Stevens, called Stevens Insurance Associates in October of 2001. The agency flourishes to this day and still maintains many of Tom’s original clients. Later in life, true to his entrepreneurial spirit, he encouraged and helped his son to continue developing his real estate portfolio. Within the last six months, he and his son worked on a new business venture in property management, which began this month.

At his core, Tom was a businessman with an analytical and forward-thinking mind. He went to work every day in a suit and tie and served as president of the agency. He was known as the guy you went to when you needed to get something done or get a hard-to-place insurance policy written. Tom’s iconic success could be attributed to his love of the Lord and following the Golden Rule with his clients and associates. One of his clients mentioned that “Tom always made me feel like I was the only customer he had.”

He had many other interests outside of work. Tom’s love of aviation led to him getting his pilot’s license. He loved working on engines, cars, tractors, radio equipment, going to airshows and more. He adored his wife, Barbara and missed her greatly. He shared all of his passions and wisdom with his children and grandchildren. Most of all, Tom loved having his family together, in one place, enjoying one another. Tom was a giver and loved helping people.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas N., Sr., and Edna Stevens; his wife of fifty-two years, Barbara Stevens; and a sister, Maudine Stevens.

Tom is survived by children, Matt Stevens, Becky Mills, Jennifer Warner, Melanie (Jerry) Hesson, Chuck (Kim) Stevens, Becky (Barry) Marks, Rusty (Christina) Watson, and Brian (Mollie) Watson; grandchildren, Kelsey Warner, Katherine Mills, Kurtis Stevens, Luke Stevens, Christopher Hesson, Samuel Hesson, Bradley (Malori) Marks, Michael (Beth) Marks, Jeffrey (Caroline) Marks, Jessica Fillman, Rebecca (Zach) Hamid; great-grandchildren, Neely Fillman, Abby Fillman, Vivienne Marks, Willa Marks, Adeline Marks, Amelia Marks, Henry Marks, and Aubrey Marks; and his special friend, Barbara Buchanan.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Silverdale Baptist Church or the charity of your choice.

A visitation will be held on from 11 AM to 1PM on Friday, October 21, 2022, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the funeral home on at 1 pm on Friday, October 21, with Pastor Tony Walliser officiating. A committal service to follow at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements are held by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.