Thomas Rhea Lumpkin

Thomas Rhea Lumpkin, 98, died peaceably in his sleep on May 12, 2018. He graduated from Whiteville High School and began farming in Whiteville. During WWII, he was drafted into the Army serving as a medic in Liverpool, England. Upon return he farmed for several years before moving to Memphis. He worked briefly for International Harvester. He began a career with Tayloe Glass Co, which was later bought by Burk-Hall Paint. After retiring he worked briefly with Wholesale Glass Distributors.

Rhea was an avid hunter and fisherman as well as a gardener extraordinaire. He was a long time member of Highland Heights Baptist but currently a member of Bartlett Baptist.

He is preceded in death by his wife Edith and his brother J.Oscar, and survived by his sister Martha Armstrong of Memphis, children Jim (Sheron) Lumpkin of Cordova, Judy (Mike) Williams of Frisco Tx, and Tom (Frances) Lumpkin of Bartlett, 8 grandchildren, Melissa, Ruth, James, Kathleen, Daryn, Ryan, Michael and Michelle, 13 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

The family appreciates the care given by the teams from Crossroads, Visiting Angels and Elite.

Visitation will be at Memphis Funeral Home Poplar Chapel on Wednesday, May 16 from 1-2 PM with the funeral service to follow at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes, Bartlett Baptist Missions or a charity of the donor’s choice.