Tommye W. Hutto, 82, of Tallahassee, Florida passed away on January 22, 2022. She was born in Boaz, Alabama on March 3, 1939. Tommye graduated from Athens College and received a BA in English, then graduated from Florida State University with a Masters in English.
Tommye lived a full and rewarding life. Her greatest joys were sharing time with her family and friends, traveling to new places, and lifelong learning through reading. She began her education career teaching high school in Athens, Alabama and then again in Tallahassee, Florida.
Her passion for advocating for children’s education blossomed into a full 30-year career, beginning in Tallahassee with the Florida Education Association as an editor, and later with the California Teachers Association in the San Francisco area as a Communications Director, contributing to statewide and national communications advocating for teachers and public education. Tommye eventually retired in San Mateo, California. She moved back to Tallahassee to be with her children and their families in her final years.
She was devoted to her children and grandchildren’s wellbeing and always made sure they knew how much they were loved and valued. Tommye was a friend to all.
She is survived by her adult children Leigh (Boyd) Merritt, Melanie (Neil) Motiska, Kier (Erin) Hutto, grandchildren Alex Bryson, Kyle & Skylar Motiska, Miles & Walker Hutto, her brother Bob (Janelle) Whitt and sister Sandi Sampson, and numerous nieces and nephews and their children. Tommye was predeceased by her sisters Mary Jane Schultz and Sarah Whitt. The family wish to sincerely thank Big Bend Hospice for their kind and compassionate care, and also to especially thank Sheryl Burgess, owner of TLC at Home, and the excellent aides who spent the last several years providing daily care, assistance and friendship to Tommye.
Tommye was also a supporter of the Smile Train, an organization focused on providing surgery services to children born with a cleft lip or palate. Memorial contributions can be made in honor of Tommye at https://www.smiletrain.org/.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, February 4, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. with a reception to follow at Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Rd, Tallahassee, FL. Family will receive guests at 3:00 PM. To leave online condolences to the family, please visit our website at dignitymemorial.com.
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