Thomas Jeffrey Womack

On Sunday, October 16, 2022, Thomas Jeffrey Womack loving husband and father of seven children passed away at the age of 68. Thomas, better known as Jeff to some and Tom by others, was born on August 5, 1954, in Danville, Virginia to John and Shirley (Palmer) Womack. He and his family later moved to Pittsburgh, PA. where he graduated from Westinghouse High School in 1973. Thomas and his future wife Adrina (Audrienne) Roberts met in 1978. In 1979 they moved to Decatur, Georgia and on December 25, 1979, in the living room of his brother John and sister-in-law Beverly, he and Adrina got married. In 1981 they soon moved back to Washington, DC where they raised seven children, (four daughters and 3 sons) Khiana Monet, Lanika Roshae, Noteisha Opray, Montell Donte, Shabreia Darsai, Trevon Jeffray, and Juwan Tomei.

As Thomas was trying to find his niche in life, he worked a multitude of management positions such as Standard Motor Parts (Pittsburgh, PA), McDonald’s Management Program (Atlanta, GA), Jacob Gardner (Washington, DC), Makro (Montgomery County, MD), Giant Food Store (White Oak/Montgomery County, MD) and a variety of other training programs, self-employment junctures, and many more money-making ventures. He was an energetic worker and had a mesmerizing personality that translated into dynamic and top-tier customer service. Each job he experienced provided him with additional opportunities to learn and grow.

Thomas had a passion for connecting with people, talking, telling jokes, having fun, and being the life of the party. He prided himself on getting “the party started” and keeping it going throughout the night. After combining all these personality traits with a business plan, he accidentally stumbled upon the art of clowning. His oldest daughter was afraid of clowns. As a way to get her to overcome her fear, he dressed up as a clown and performed at her first birthday party. At that time, his makeup, stage presence, and overall business ethics needed a lot of work. However, at the end of the party, numerous people wanted him to do their children’s parties. He didn’t consider it at first and again initially only did that first party to help his daughter overcome her fear of clowns, but with careful thought and consideration, “Stringbean the Clown” was born.

Thomas soon went to a local Clown College, where he perfected his skills in the art of makeup, costuming, slight of hand, close-up magic, comedy magic, juggling, balloon art, and many other tricks of the trade. His infectious personality and natural antics made him an overnight success. In the 80s through the new millennium (2000+) he was in high demand. He worked for numerous venues and organizations such as American Heart Association, Hardees Restaurant Grand Openings, Hershey Park Theme Park (Hershey, PA), White House Easter Egg Roll, Giant Food Store Openings, Fools For Christ’s Sake, Bingo and Buddies, countless private parties (young and old), theme parks and special events. His persona as “Stringbean the Clown” allowed him to meet hundreds of people and enabled him to uplift their spirits regularly. He continued to expand his repertoire by exploring new characters, new skills, and new ways to develop himself as an entertainer.

Thomas was indeed a multidimensional individual. He was an overachiever at times who liked to get in the mix of things, shake things up a bit, and laugh out loud at himself and others. He carried this way of being into all the areas of his life. Likewise, he was an active, hands-on husband, father, and grandfather for his family 24/7, showing up and showing out when it was expected and not expected. He was a vocal PTA President in 2 schools his children attended, supporting relevant causes and stirring up “good trouble” as John Lewis would say. He was a dedicated son who called his mother almost every day and kept it going throughout his rehabilitation as much as he could. He did this not out of obligation, but a deep-seated appreciation and respect for the woman who unselfishly raised him and loved him unconditionally for the natural-born clown that he was.

He loved playing and coaching basketball with an intensity for the sport that sometimes came across as loud, opinionated, and aggressive, but mostly from a place of respect for the totality and honor of the sport. He adored the Pittsburgh Steelers, win or lose, and was a dedicated, loyal, and eminent lifelong fan. He loved making banana pudding, fried chicken, and fruit smoothies and hosting yearly Kwanzaa events. He was motivated by oldies but goodies, soul music, and everything that had a beat. Dancing, singing, and being the life of the party were second nature to him, and he took it upon himself to be the ambassador of fun so that everyone had a good time. He eagerly participated in an August Wilson play, The Piano Lesson with the Sitar Arts Center. He portrayed the character “Wining Boy” a comic figure and storyteller who recounted anecdotes from his life. Though he never acted before, this was an unexpected dream of his to perform in a play, and though Covid-19 shut the performance down in its opening weeks, he was still able to grace the stage with his earnest performance.

Thomas Jeffrey Womack aka “Stringbean the Clown” will be forever validated, every time someone laughs, every time a joke is made, every time music is played loud with a blaring bass. Every time, someone gets out on the dance floor and dances like “you just can’t stop”. Every time, someone sings out loud and off-key with gusto and jubilation. He will be everywhere that we go. He will always be with us. Thomas leaves to celebrate his life, his loving wife and best friend, Adrina (Audrienne), his seven children, Khiana, Lanika, Noteisha, Montell, Shabreia, Trevon, and Juwan, seven grandchildren Deriana, Khion, Lovae, Jayde, Aziza, Juwayriyyah and Taahira, sister-in-law, Marilynn Martinez, brothers-in-law, Horace and James Roberts, his beloved mother Shirley Palmer Womack, 8 brothers and sisters, Helen Sneed (Calvin), Claraine Oliver (Deceased), Jackie Hainesworth (James-deceased), John Womack (Beverly), Shirlee Womack, Maxine Womack, Evelyn Herbert (Ray), 19 nieces/nephews, 54 great nieces/

nephews, 5 great-great nieces/nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.

Thomas will be missed and revered as his legacy continues to live through his family, friends, and those he impacted throughout his life.