Thomas Lane "Smoke" Beavers

Thomas Lane "Smoke" Beavers, age 84, of Tucker, Ga., passed away at Hospice Atlanta on July 8, 2009, joining his precious wife Brownie on their wedding anniversary. Tom was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He reached out to the people he met with wit and charm and often left them with a two dollar bill and a smile on their faces. Tom and Brownie were dancers extraordinaire and loved to "trip the light fantastic" at every opportunity. Tom was born in Richlands, Va., on Nov. 12, 1924, to Thomas A. and Nanola M. Beavers, who like his brother Pete predeceased him. He is survived by his daughters Cindy Bickman (Mike) and Stephanie Holby (Bill), and grandchildren, Alison, Lane, Elisabeth, and Neil Holby, all of the Atlanta area. After serving the country he loved as an Army Air Corps pilot, Tom graduated from Virginia Tech and became a lifelong Hokie fan. He rose through the building construction industry to serve as President of McDonough Construction Company in Atlanta and later to form his own company and leave a mark on the commercial landscape locally and internationally. His love of children lead him and Brownie to invest much of their lives in Camp Chattooga for Girls in Tallulah Falls, Ga., and in Chattooga Gymnastics in Marietta, Ga., while loving and nurturing their four precious grandchildren as they grew up with "Nana and Papa". The family held a celebration of his life on Sun., July 12, at 4 p.m. at Tucker First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The Chattooga Foundation for care of special needs children (700 Trinity Church Road, Canton, GA 30115), or the Young Life Camp Scholarship Fund (P.O. Box 724731, Atlanta, GA 31139). Special thanks go to the staff of Atria Buckhead and Cara Vita Homecare for the loving care they provided over the last year. Arrangements by Bill Head Funeral Homes and Crematory, Lilburn/Tucker Chapel. (770) 564-2726.