Thomas Dewitt McCraw

Born in Lynchburg on December 16, 1934, he was the son of the late Owen Simpson McCraw and Annie Logwood McCraw. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Faye Simpson McCraw; his first wife and the mother of his children, Lynda Bibee McCraw; his brother, Owen S. McCraw, Jr.; and his sister, Ann M. Noel.

He is survived by his son, Timothy J. McCraw of Lynchburg; two daughters, Gabrielle M. Trent and her husband, 1st SGT (Ret.) Remus Trent, of Lynchburg, and Katrina M. Gray and her husband, Dr. Brent Gray, of Delray Beach, Florida; and his stepson, Petty Officer 1st Class (Ret.) Dwayne L. Clements and wife, Wanda. He is also survived by four grandchildren, SGT 1st Class (Ret.) Michael Mayhew, Cole Mayhew, Nick Mayhew, and Zachary Gray, as well as five great-grandchildren, Jolie, Jake, Will, Jackson and Elias.

The family would like to extend special recognition and heartfelt gratitude to Ann Garrett for her devoted love, care, and companionship to Tom during his final years.

After taking early retirement from C & P Telephone Company, Tom remained deeply engaged in his community. He oversaw the reconstruction of the Timberlake Dam and served on the Timberlake WID Advisory Committee. For decades, he contributed his time and leadership to numerous committees and initiatives around the lake, was active in establishing the Timberlake Homeowner’s Association and was affectionately known as the “Mayor of Timberlake.”

His historic barn was known for many years as the hub of the lake community, hosting Fall and Christmas bazaars, which included his famous Brunswick Stew fundraiser dinners to benefit the Timberlake Garden Club. Tom was a trusted neighbor who could always be counted on to be involved in every activity around the lake.

He loved fishing in his pontoon boat on the lake in the evenings and was honored to be included in decades of annual fishing trips with the family of Dale Bostic, a close friend from his days with the telephone company. Until very recently, he continued to meet with Dale and another telephone company friend, Claude Williams, every Tuesday morning for breakfast at the County Line Café. He also enjoyed many years of the morning “Hardees Club” that met for breakfast and fellowship each day.

Tom had a lifelong heart for service. He served as a volunteer fireman with the Brookville–Timberlake Volunteer Fire Department and was a member of the Brookville Ruritan Club, where he helped build the organization’s facilities as a young man. His commitment to serving others continued through driving widows to church on Sunday mornings, delivering for Meals on Wheels, helping construct Habitat for Humanity homes throughout the Lynchburg area, and serving with the Telephone Pioneers.

His faith and quiet generosity were evident in every aspect of his life, including support to dozens of charitable organizations. His compassion was also demonstrated by faithfully donating a lifelong total of many gallons of blood and plasma to those with urgent medical needs.

A true patriot, Tom loved our country and the precious privileges of freedom. He served for many years as a poll worker during elections and counted it an honor and duty of citizenship.

A service celebrating Tom’s life and faith will be held at 12:00 noon, Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Timberlake Church, with Pastor Brad McMullen officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service, and a reception will follow in the church Family Life Center.

In keeping with Tom’s deep love for Timberlake, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Timberlake Garden Club or the Timberlake Homeowners Association.