November 23, 2011

Thomas Howard Piland Sr., 84, of Suffolk, Va., passed away on Nov. 23, 2011. A native of Nansemond County, Va., he was the son of the late Isaac Newman Piland and Gladys Pulley Piland. He served his country in the Army Air Force during World War II and later retired from Portsmouth Water Department, where he was a pump operator. Tom was a member of Providence United Methodist Church, a member of the Gray Memorial Sunday School class, former Sunday school teacher of the Men’s Bible Class, former treasurer of the church, a member of the Methodist Men, treasurer of previous building addition fund and a former Ruritan.

Tom is survived by his wife of 62 years, Amelia Ann Wright Piland; daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Sue Piland Johnson and Doug, all of Suffolk, and Amelia Darnell Melton and Leslie, of Amelia, Va.; son and daughter-in-law, Thomas Howard Piland Jr. and Brenda, of Suffolk; his grandchildren: Lottie Leaman, Lucas Melton, Katie Mast, Caleb Melton, Amos Melton, Brian Johnson, Scott Johnson and Lisa Roth; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Ann P. Wright, and brother, Frank L. Piland.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, at 2 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home and Crematory, with the Rev. Dr. Garland K. Hines Jr. officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Holly Lawn Cemetery. Friends may join the family for visitation on Saturday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home and other times at the home of Mary Sue and Doug Johnson. Memorial donations may be made to Providence United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 3105 Providence Road, Suffolk, VA 23434. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.