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An old saying is “Walk towards the good in life and one day you will arrive.”

Thomas “Tom” Oxendine did just that. He finished his walk in this life August 20 at the age of 96.

And, up until just a few weeks ago, Tom worked part time at Memorial Funeral Chapel, assisting with funerals and visitations.

Scotty Poole, a co-worker at Memorial, shared “Tom was always there and ready to go when there was a graveside service. He was kind-hearted and empathized with those who had family losses.”

Another co-worker, Jill Cooper, described Oxendine as a “walking testimony. He was one of the best men I ever knew. He was kind, funny, and very caring. He never complained.” Jill noted that Oxendine lost his wife, Marie Ensor Oxendine, in 2019. “Tom visited Marie’s grave every day twice a day,” shared Jill. Oxendine was buried next to his wife in the Ensor Cemetery, located near their home in the Stoney Creek community.

“Our hearts are broken. We really loved Tom,” shared Jill.

Another co-worker, Chris Wright, shared that Oxendine always had a song in his heart. “Some were serious, others were funny, and some he made up. He was funny and was really quick with jokes. There was nothing cheap about Tom. He was the real thing,” said Wright.

Although Oxendine and his wife did not have any children, they loved children and doted on many kids.

Oxendine was the last surviving member of his family, which included two sisters and four brothers. 

“Uncle Tom experienced a lot during his lifetime. He was born during the Great Depression, lived during the wars – World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, etc. Tom had seen a lot in his 96 years. He worked at Tri-State Container for over 50 years and then part time at the funeral home,” shared his nephew, Ronnie Ensor.

“He lived a good, long life. Several years ago he suffered a major heart attack and as part of his recovery process, he walked in and out of Blevins Hollow (where he lived) every day for weeks and months. During the time that I have known him, I never saw him mad. He was the type of guy who believed in things being right or wrong…there was no gray area with him,” shared Ronnie.

Oxendine enjoyed engaging in sports in his younger years. He enjoyed playing softball and bowling and for several years had coached softball. His nephew shared that Richard “Jarfly” Dugger was one of his prize students. Dugger went on to coach a lot of youngsters.

“Tom was basically a simple man. He didn’t acquire a lot of things. He loved his church at Dungan Chapel Baptist and rarely missed a service. In later years, at one time, he janitored the church with Glen Ensor,” said Ronnie.

In recent years his favorite thing to do was mowing his yard, which he did weekly.

A sister-in-law, Ruby Corder, added that after Tom became sick, his church family supported him by sharing meals with him. Ruby did her part by taking Tom to the doctor and when he worked at the funeral home, she ironed his dress shirts. Oftentimes, she went and cleaned his house.

Ruby shared that she was the one that introduced Tom to his wife, Marie. “I was working at the Sandwich Shop on E Street, and Tom came every morning for breakfast. And, usually, he came back in the evening for supper and oftentimes would help me. I got him linked up with my sister, and they were a perfect match,” she shared with a laugh.

In later years, Oxendine usually had breakfast with a group of friends at Kimbo’s. “They charged him $5 for breakfast regardless of what he got. He was up every morning and gone by 6 o’clock,” Ruby shared

“Tom loved people and enjoyed his work at the funeral home. He met a lot of people through his work there. And, he made a lot of people laugh during his time there,” Ruby added.

Tom Oxendine was one of those people who had seen and experienced a lot in his lifetime. He would be the first to tell you that life had not always been easy, but it wasn’t all hard either. He was a very interesting person to talk to, and didn’t get excited about much. 

Tom would also tell you: “It’s (life) your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.”

Tom’s was a long road, but he walked it well, and never did he walk it by himself. He knew the Lord and had friends to walk with him.