Tommy Whiteside

Tommy Lee Whiteside, well known and well loved lifetime resident of Elmo, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, May 29, 2023 after a brief illness. Tommy was born in Elmo, TX on June 15, 1933 to Griff and Ola Mae Whiteside. Tommy lived his entire life in Elmo. When he was 16, he met the love of his life, Wanda Coker. Two years later, they were married. He and Wanda were together for 71 years! They had two sons, both of whom they loved dearly, Perry and Timmy. During his lifetime, Tommy had many jobs where he met a variety of people, many of whom became treasured friendships. For year he managed Flanagan’s Supermarket in Wills point. He and Wanda owned and operated the Elmo Superette. After selling the store, Tommy went to work for Bill Brumley selling and delivering produce. His last job was working for the Elmo Water Corporation where all the connections he made over the years made all the difference as Elmo grew. Tommy was one of the founding members of the Elmo Volunteer Fire Department and he served as Chief from 1979 until his retirement. He also served on the Wills Point ISD School Board for many years. Tommy had many hobbies. He loved tending to his animals and throughout his life, he always had cows, horses, and chicken. Another passion was working in his garden. He could not wait until spring so that could start planting. He was also an avid fisherman and always carried his rod and reel with him just in case he saw a pond that “looked good”. He was preceded in death by his parents, Griff and Ola Mae Whiteside, his beloved wife, Wanda Whiteside and brothers, Jack and Don Whiteside. Tommy is survived by his sons, Perry Whiteside and Timmy Whiteside; sister, Margaret Dudley; sisters-in-law, Kathlyn Rhine and Linda Whiteside and Donna Coker as well as several nieces, nephews, extended family, countless friends and the entire community of Elmo, each of whom will miss Tommy greatly and never forget him. Funeral service will be at 10:00am, Thursday, June 1, 2023 at Max Slayton Funeral Chapel with his family receiving friends beginning at 9:00am to service time. Interment will follow at Elmo Cemetery where Tommy will be laid to rest by his beloved wife, Wanda. For those wishing, memorials in honor of Tommy may be made to the Elmo Cemetery Association, PO Box150, Elmo, TX, 75118.

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Tommy Whiteside

June 15, 1933 - May 29, 2023