Thomas H. PARIS

NEWPORT NEWS - Thomas Henry "T.H." Paris, 88, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010.
He was born in Appomattox, Va., and was a Peninsula resident for the past 70 years.
T.H. graduated from the Newport News Shipyard Apprentice School and continued to work for Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company for more than 40 years before retiring as their Launch Master. He was a dedicated member of Denbigh Baptist Church and spent many hours working with the other retired members of the church as part of what was known as the "Over The Hill Gang" on completing projects for the church he loved so much. His greatest joy was helping to build the Denbigh Baptist Family Life Center.
T. H. is survived by his loving wife, Vonnie, of 62 years; his children, Carolyn P. Dow, Janice P. Reaves and her husband, Alan, Beverly P. Creekmore, all of Newport News, and George T. Paris and his wife, Mary, of Gainesville, Va. He is also survived by his sister, Polly Fornash of Newport News; and nine grandchildren, Tricia Childers and her husband, Jim, Staci McMurtrie and Scot Dow, Eric and Amanda Paris, Michael Reaves and his wife, Stacy, Michelle Satterfield and her husband, Jacob, Christopher and Garrett Creekmore; and three great-grandchildren, William and Charlotte Satterfield and Logan Reaves.
The family will receive friends on Monday, Sept. 20, 2010, from 7 to 8 p.m. at W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010, at 10 a.m. at Denbigh Baptist Church with Pastor David Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in Peninsula Memorial Park.
The family wishes to express their thanks to both, the Governor's Inn Estate Assisted Living Facility, where he and his wife have resided for the past three years, and to Heartland Hospice for all of their loving care and assistance.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. You may leave condolences at www.wjsmithandsonfh.com. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.