Tommy Dale Eaves

Tommy Dale Eaves, age 92, of Mount Juliet, TN, passed away July 13, 2026. He was born May 24, 1934 in Chattanooga, TN, to James and Ila Mae Eaves. He had nine siblings - five brothers and four sisters. When Tommy was fifteen years old, he lost his Dad. He then went to live with one of his older brothers. In the mid-1950s, he joined the United States Air Force. He was first stationed at Lakeland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX for basic training then transferred to Travis Air Force Base in California.

While stationed in California, Tommy met the love of his life, Elsie Roberts. They married October 26, 1957. After he left the Air Force, Tommy and Elsie moved to Cookeville, TN and Tommy earned an Engineering Degree from Tennessee Technical University. In 1958, Tommy and Elsie welcomed their first child, Raymond. They welcomed their second child, Tammie in 1962, and their third, Beverly, in 1964.

After college, Tommy went to work for General Electric and, years later, went to work for Hobart Corporation in the food service equipment industry. In the early 1980s, Tommy and a few of his colleagues started Hillard Company and a few years later, Tommy and a close friend opened a new business, Tennessee Restaurant Equipment. Tommy and his business partner sold the business in the late 1990s and then Tommy retired.

Tommy became a grandfather in September of 1982. He went on to be blessed with five more grandchildren. He became a great-grandfather in August of 2010 and went on to be blessed with five more great-grandchildren. His great-grandchildren affectionately called him "Tom Tom".

Tommy enjoyed traveling, playing golf, watching the Tennessee Vols, and spending time with family and friends. He was always devoted to his family and spent much of his retirement attending his grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's special occasions, school events and sporting events. This brought him so much joy and happiness.

Tommy was preceded in death by his father, James Raymond Eaves; mother, Ila Mae Edmonds Eaves; his loving wife of 56 years, Elsie Mozelle Eaves; son, Raymond Eaves; brothers J.R. Eaves, Edmond Eaves, Ronnie Eaves, Donnie Eaves, Joel Eaves; sisters Mary (Eaves) Smith, Betty (Eaves) Mingo and Sandra (Eaves) Keller.

He is survived by daughters Tammie Lynn (Eaves) Rowlett (Brad) and Beverly Alison (Eaves) Stinson (Phil) of Mount Juliet, TN; grandchildren Shelley Nicole (Rowlett) Misch (Dean) of Mount Juliet, TN, Bradley Dale Rowlett (Lauren) Of Hermitage, TN, Whitley Alison (Rowlett) Oglesby (Landon) of Nashville, TN, Presley Nicole Stinson of Lebanon, TN, Elizabeth Faith (Stinson) Henry (Nathaniel) of Lebanon, TN, and Isabella Grace Stinson of Mount Juliet, TN; step-grandchildren Caleb Stinson (Tiffany) and Gabriel Stinson (Julie); great-grandchildren Jaden Lynn Misch, Jaxen Dean Misch of Mount Juliet, TN, Ivy Eileen Rowlett, Charles Clark Rowlett of Hermitage, TN, Charley Kate Oglesby, Peyton Alison Oglesby of Nashville, TN; step-great-grandchildren Collyns Stinson, Caz Stinson, Cru Stinson, Selyse Stinson; and sister, Beverly (Eaves) Keen.

Tommy will truly be missed by all who knew him and the love his family has for him will live forever in our hearts. There will be a Gathering of Family and Friends at Hermitage Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 22, from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM. A Celebration of Tommy's Life will follow at 2:00 PM in the Tulip Grove Chapel at the funeral home with Alive Hospice Chaplain, Karen Flemming, and Brad Rowlett officiating. Bradley Rowlett, Dean Misch, Landon Oglesby, Jaxen Misch, Caleb Stinson, Gabe Stinson, Lanny Leroy and Jeff Rowlett will serve as Pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider making a donation in Tommy's memory to Alive Hospice or to the charity of your choice. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Eaves family by selecting "Add a Memory" at the bottom of this page.