Thomas Ralph Ashley Sr.

Funeral services will be held at 10am on Saturday, October 29, 2011, at Town East Baptist Church with Rev. Kyle Felts officiating. Burial will follow at Laurel Land Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6pm to 8pm on Friday at Grove Hill Funeral Home.

Thomas was born on February 19, 1930, in Hutchins, Texas, to the late Scottie and Bertha (Blevins) Ashley. He married Martha Boggess on September 16, 1950, in Dallas. She preceded him in death in 2007 after 57 years of marriage.

Thomas was involved in the National Guard from 1951 to 1955. He also worked in the freight business over 50 years as a driver, foreman, and terminal manager. He was the Dallas contractor for Arkansas Freightways. Thomas was also very active as a scout master in the Boy Scouts in the 1960’s. He also served as a deacon at Town East Baptist Church, where he was a very active member. Tom was also a lifelong Mason.

He was also preceded in death by a son, Ronnie Ashley in 1972 and a brother.

Those left to cherish his memory include two sons: Tommy Ashley, Jr., and his wife Carol and Alfred Glen Ashley; three grandchildren: Paige Lynn Wester and husband Brian, Jason Ashley, and Jenny Ashley; two great grandchildren: Dillon and Gracie Wester; six sisters; and one brother.

Memorials - Alzheimer's Association National Office 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.