Tommy Ray Bigham

Tommy Ray Bigham, 76, of Cleveland, was united with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, February 14, 2022. He passed peacefully in his home surrounded by those who loved him most. Tom was born on 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 went on to graduate from Austin Peay State University, where he played football, leading the team that was recently honored as Team of the Century for the college. It was at Austin Peay that he met the love of his life, Gayle Bigham. They married on December 30, 1966, and enjoyed a blessed 55 years of marriage.
For the first years of his married life, he worked as a football coach at West Fannin High School. He later 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 a devoted Christian first and foremost, and a member of Grace Community Church. He loved serving in the Emmaus community, and was greatly honored to lead Emmaus Men’s Walk #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 joy!
Tom was preceded in death by his parents William Franklin Bigham and Dorothy Dean Ervin Bigham.
He leaves a tremendous legacy of faith for 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 Rd NW) on Sunday, February 20, from 1:00-3:00 pm, with the Celebration of Life immediately following. Services will be conducted by Reverend Scott Efird, Reverend Kevin Mendel, and Reverend Teresa Norman. Burial will follow at Lee Cemetery in McDonald.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Grace Community Church or the Cleveland Emmaus community.
Please share a message of comfort with the family at www.companionfunerals.com.