Thomas Lincoln Culver, Jr.

Thomas Lincoln Culver, Jr., age 91, of Butler, TN passed away Monday, December 24, 2012 at Hillview Health and Rehab Care in Elizabethton, TN. Dad was born in Winona, WV on September 7, 1921 and was raised in Mabel, NC and in Little Milligan, TN. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years Kate Greenwell Culver, his father Link Culver, his mother Thelma Ruth Church Culver, his brother-in-law James Emmert and nephew Jimmy Emmert. Tom was a graduate of Watauga Academy in Old Butler. He was a farmer, rancher, electrician, carpenter and plumber and in his earlier years he played basketball and baseball. He lived in the Dry Hill Community in Johnson County most of his life and was an active member of Sugar Grove Baptist Church. He lived the last several years of his life with his daughter and son-in-law in Little Milligan on Watauga Lake. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law: Tom and Susie Culver, Boone, NC; his daughter and son-in-law: Cheryl and Bobby Mills, Butler, TN; grandsons: Tommy Culver and David Culver, both of Boone, NC; great grandchildren: Alex, Braxton and Madison Culver; sister-in-law: Minnie Emmert, Elizabethton, TN; aunts: Vera Byers Church, Zionville, NC and Vernell Church, Fort Worth, TX; nephews: Dick Emmert and Mike Emmert; nieces: Greer Murphy and Tammy Miller; many cousins and many dear friends. He dearly loved each and every one of you. We also need to mention his very special grand dogs, Peyton and Sammy Mills, who he loved dearly. The family would like to extend a special thanks to everyone at Hillview Health and Rehab Center who made his last days a little easier. Your love and kindness were a blessing not only to him but also to his family. A special thank you is extended also to all the people who came by the nursing home to visit and those who sent cards. This meant so much to him. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 27, 2012 from Sugar Grove Baptist Church in Butler, TN with Pastor Tim Tapp officiating. Music will be provided by the Sugar Grove Baptist Church Choir. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. prior to the funeral service. Graveside service and interment will follow in Sugar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Tom Culver, Bobby Mills, Tommy Culver, David Culver, Richard Culver, Dick Emmert, Mike Emmert and Bob Murphy. Honorary pallbearers will be Pastor Tim Tapp and family, deacons, trustees and everyone attending Sugar Grove Baptist Church, friends and neighbors from the Dry Hill Community, Carter Isaacs, Mack Holloway, Richard Dugger, Harvey Fowler, Johnny and Carla Mills family, David and Cathy Mills family, Larry and Kim Saylor, Gary and Melody Campbell, George Walker, The Joe Carr Family, Johnson County Mutual Fire Insurance Board of Directors, Dr. Jonathan Bremer, Dr. Vivian Clark, Dr. Ahmed Khan and Johnson County Home Health. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sugar Grove Baptist Church Sanctuary Fund, 925 Sugar Grove Church Road, Butler, TN 37640. Online condolences may be sent to the family and viewed through our website at www.huxlipfordfh.com Arrangements for the Thomas Lincoln Culver, Jr. family are in the care of Hux-Lipford Funeral Home.