Tommie Ferrell

                Mr. Tommie Ferrell, son of the late James Ferrell and the late Lillie Way Culver was born December 6, 1946 in Sparta, GA. He was adopted by the late Mrs. Beatrice Ramey-Ferrell, and was raised by his grandfather, the late Mr. Andrew Ferrell.

                Tommie attended Hancock Central High School where he played football. He was nicknamed “Tommy the Tank” because he was one of the best football players in Hancock County. He even received a scholarship to play professional football. As a teenager Tommie ran the projector at The Pex Theater until he departed from Sparta, GA. Tommie had a knack for giving people nicknames and he named his best friend Britches Long.

                Tommie is known worldwide for his love of the game of AMERICAN POOL CHECKERS winning numerous tournaments across the southeast. Tommie’s love for pool checkers grew from watching his grandfather, Mr. Andrew Ferrell play checkers. Tommie was featured in the Athens Banner Herald in an article titled Playing Out History February 25, 2006. (excerpt from article) Ferrell studies the game like a science working on strategy and tactics. Sometimes he will see an opponent make a move and know he has his opponent beat…“I know I’ve got this game won. I can get up and go eat and come back. I can tell I’ve got it won and he don’t know it. It’s a skill to calculate several moves ahead of your opponent. That’s how games are won. If a guy beats me, I come back (home). I get my board out and play that move until I find out what to do. You get experience over time, but it’s hard to become a top-notch checker player without really studying checkers.

                Tommie is known for his meticulous work ethic, his business and entrepreneurial skills, and just being an all-around hard worker. He worked at the drive inn theater in Commerce, Ga. For several years, he owned and operated his very own Bar-B-Que café on Vine Street in Athens, GA. Obtaining his cosmetology license Tommy managed Omni’s Beauty Salon where several of Athens well-known stylists worked under him. Tommie also coached Hurley’s Softball Team. Utilizing his love for music, he became DJ NIGHTSHIFT DISCO providing music for parties and celebrations all over Georgia. Later in life, Tommie earned his CDL license. He was so proud of this accomplishment. He later went on to drive the school bus for Athens Clarke County & Oconee County School Districts. Picking up various jobs around the city, Tommie’s one and only goal was to continue to be the sole provider for his family. Tommie had a heart of gold. Anyone he could help along the way , he did it without any ill feeling, or malice in his heart. Tommie gave hope and helped many other children growing up on the east side of Athens being a father figure to not only his kids, but many more as well.

              Tommie was united in holy matrimony to Mary Alice Ferrell March 21, 1966 recently celebrating their 52nd wedding anniversary. This union was blessed with six children. He was preceded in demise by a son: Irique Ternell Ferrell; sisters, Jessie Mae Culver, Murtice Gilliam and Lorraine Williams; a brother: Alonzo Long; A grandmother: Elsie Isom. Tommie’s life will be forever cherished in the memories of his Beautiful Wife of 52 Years: Mary Alice Ferrell; His Children: Laquenda Everlelia Ferrell, Tommy Ricardo Ferrell, Latonya Shelon Ferrell, Darius Shamar Ferrell, and Omni Mialatrice Bryant; Grandchildren: Tarvarious Shontell Ferrell, Latifah Shunta Nicole Ferrell, Gerald Jerome Lawrence Jr., Jaquette Demarcus Lawrence, Tommy Tavon Ferrell, Solomon Tyrese Gatlin, Nytia Holmes, Elijah Allen Ferrell, Daniel Artis Flint Jr., Dan’ia Artis’ia Flint, Omarious Bryan Austin, Domoni Omari Nesbit, and Omaria Messiah Bryant Great Grand Daughter: Aubrey Mackezie Lawrence; Sisters: Joanne Lewis, Atlanta,GA. Frankie (Joseph) Dixon, Milledgeville, GA. Carol Brown, Athens, GA.  Brothers: Freddie (Linda) Culver, Sparta, GA; Roosevelt Hemphill, Athens, GA. Leon Ferrell, Athens, GA. A Great Great Aunt: Lizzie Lewis (101 years old) And a host of extended family, coworkers, and numerous friends.

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