Deacon Thomas “Tunk” Smith, 62, of the 100 block of Burnett’s Court, passed away on Aug. 21, 2014, at the VCU Medical Center in Richmond. He was born on Aug. 1, 1952, in Capron (Southampton County) and was educated at Booker T. Washington High School and Suffolk High School.

Thomas was a Master Shipbuilder at Newport News Shipyard and retired in 2014 after 42 years of service. He was chairman of the Deacon Ministry and the Senior Appreciation Ministry at St. Paul Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, the late Henry Smith Sr. and Lena Williams Smith; two brothers, Henry Smith Jr. (Virgie) and Roy Williams; and son-in-law, Steve Artis.

Thomas leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved and devoted wife of 39 years, Judith Ann Smith; two daughters, Karen Renee Artis and Joyce Cherry-Hoggard (William); one son, Thomas Lee Smith (Tyesha), of Suffolk; two sisters, Vernell Smith Ward (James), of Arlington, and Gwendolyn G. Smith, of Suffolk; two brothers, Kenneth Smith and Lenart Williams (Charlene), both of Suffolk; eight grandchildren, Tamesha McFarland, Jelisia Artis, Rasheed Deloatch, Jahleel Harris, Thomas Saunders, Ajanae McFarland, Tahj McFarland and Thomas Lee Smith; one great-grandchild, Ra’Monii Deloatch and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mr. Smith will be on view Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m., and the family will receive guests from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Home going services will be held on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, at noon at St. Paul Baptist Church, 806 Lincoln Ave., Suffolk.

The family will receive guests at 110 Burnett’s Court, Suffolk, at all other times.

Expressions of sympathy and flowers may be extended to the family at www.cookeovertonfuneralhome.com.

Professional services are entrusted to T.E. Cooke- Overton Funeral Home, Inc.