Thomas Daniel Churchill

Tom Churchill passed from earth to heaven on Wednesday morning, June 17, 2020 at the age of 90. He was a devout follower of Jesus Christ. loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Also, a hard worker and the strongest man we have ever known.

Tom was born December 18, 1929 to Daniel Webster Churchill and Edie Terressa Wilson in Chatham County, NC. He was the last and youngest child of 7 siblings (Thelma, Beatrice, Ruth, John, Richard and Clyde).  His family were sharecroppers, and he worked the tobacco fields growing up. They attended Martha's Chapel Christian Church in Apex, NC. At the age of 12, Tom’s father passed. As his brothers were away fighting WWII, he became the man of the house.

He helped his family farm the land until diagnosed with Polio as a teenager. Tom laid in bed in an Iron Lung, unable to move for over a year. While told by the doctors that he would never walk again, he never lost faith. He told them he had to walk again to help his mother and sisters work the land. He learned to walk again and continued farming until the family moved to Durham.

Tom never graduated high school, but continued his education in a trade school and graduated Spencer School of Watchmaking in 1952. 

At age 24, he met a lovely 18 year-old woman, Marie Rhew. He married her on May 22, 1954 and loved her until his passing. Their first son Dwight, was born in 1957 and second son Dan was born in 1959. Marie was told she could not have any more children at this point. But surprise! She found she was pregnant again in early 1968. Two months prior to due date, she learned she was pregnant with TWINS. She immediately called Tom, and the shock of the information left him speechless for a week. First daughter, Sharon, and third son, Steven, were born on 1968.

They moved to Raleigh in 1959, and in 1960 they found the home in which they would raise their family and live to this day. Tom worked as a watch repair man for Johnson’s Jewelers until he retired 50 years later at age 75. Not one to sit still during his "retirement", he worked, until the age of 87, as a volunteer with the Autism Society of NC, helping young males with Autism to live successfully and independently.

Tom was a believer in Jesus Christ and showed God’s beautiful grace, love, and humility to everyone he encountered. He loved his family fiercely and accepted people as they were because the Lord teaches us to love one another, flaws and all. Tom and Marie joined Longview United Methodist Church (UMC) when they moved to Raleigh and were faithful members and servants for over 50 years.  During that time Tom had several leadership positions at Longview UMC. Notably, Tom loved to sing the God’s praise.  He was a mainstay in the choir at Longview UMC and continued to sing his worship of Christ at Hillcrest Baptist Church after Longview UMC’s closing.  His praise did not stop at the church walls. He loved to sing around the house, by himself or with his family.  Tom found ultimate joy in Jesus and he spread that joy to others.

There are so many great memories of Tom. The family encourages everyone to share memories of  him at #thomaschurchill on Facebook.

We have the ultimate comfort that he is with the Lord. 

John 3:16 + Psalm 23

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the family will have a small, private service.

In lieu of flower, memorial contributions may be made to Transitions LifeCare, 200 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607. They have taken such excellent care of Tom.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.