Tommy Ray Bigham, 76, of Cleveland was united with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, February 14, 2022. He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by those who loved him most. Tom was born March 27, 1945 in Cleveland to the late William Franklin Bigham and Dorothy Dean Ervin Bigham.
Tom graduated from Bradley High School in 1963. He then graduated from Austin Peay State University, where he played football, leading the team that was recently honored as a team of the century for college. It was at Austin Peay that he met the love of his life, Gayle Bigham. They were married on December 30, 1966 and lived 55 blessed years of marriage.
During the early years of his married life, he worked as a football coach at West Fannin High School. He then worked as president of Majestic, a division of Coppinger’s, for 33 years. In 1996 he founded Cornerstone Photo and worked diligently for that company until days before his death. He was first and foremost a devoted Christian and a member of Grace Community Church. He loved serving in the Emmaus community and was very honored to lead Emmaus Men’s March #127 in September 2010. His greatest passions were sharing the love of Jesus, watching sports and spending time with his beloved family. His six “Grands” were his pride and his joy!
Tom was predeceased by his parents, William Franklin Bigham and Dorothy Dean Ervin Bigham.
He leaves a tremendous legacy of faith to those who survive him: his wife, Gayle Bigham; daughters, Aimee Efird, of Columbia, SC and Marti Hall, of Cleveland; sons-in-law Scott Efird, of Columbia, SC and Brent Hall, of Cleveland; grandchildren, EmmaLeigh Efird, Elizabeth Efird and Evan Efird, of Columbia, SC, Raygan Hall Lockridge (Grant), of Greenville, SC, Reece Hall and Rylee Hall, of Cleveland; siblings, Bill Bigham, Donna Carter, Rick Bigham (Dianne) and Cheryl Johnson (Steve), of Cleveland; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
The family will receive friends at Grace Community Church, 4745 Mouse Creek Road NW, on Sunday, February 20 from 1-3 p.m., followed immediately by the Celebration of Life. Services will be led by Reverend Scott Efird, Reverend Kevin Mendel and Reverend Teresa Norman. Interment will follow at Lee Cemetery in McDonald.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be sent to Grace Community Church or the Emmaus Community of Cleveland.
Share a message of comfort with the family at www.companionfunerals.com.
