Thomas Lee Ross

Published 6:29 pm Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Thomas Lee Ross, 92, passed away on January 13, 2025.

Tom was a native of South Carolina. He was born on October 11, 1932, in Edgefield, SC, and was the son of the late Thomas Leonard and Blandena Summer Ross. He had been a Smithfield resident since 1959.

Tom will be remembered as a loving supportive husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. In addition to his father and mother, Tom was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 54 years, Roberta Jean Hendrix Ross; and sister, Catherine Ross Smith and brother-in-law, Floyd Smith, of Kaufman, TX.

Tom retired from Smithfield Packing Company as Vice President of Human Resources after 40 years of service in December 1999.

Left to cherish his memories are three sons, Thomas L. Ross, Jr and his wife, Diana, of Murrells Inlet, SC, Richard M. Ross and his wife, Cindy, of Greenville, NC, and David H. Ross of Wilmington, NC; and daughter-in-law Lynette Ross, of Smithfield, VA; grandchildren, Michael Ross of Greenville, NC, Steven Ross and his wife, Jane, of Virginia Beach, VA, Katie Pritt and her husband, Jonathon, of Tullahoma, TN, Erin Ross of Smithfield, VA and Tiffany Eddins and her husband, Rudy, of Pipe Creek, TX and great-granddaughter, Rosie Ross, of Virginia Beach, VA; one brother, Clifford E. Ross and his wife, Kathye, of Lexington, SC, and sister, Maura Lynn Ross of Lexington, SC.

Tom was a Charter Member and past President of Smithfield Kiwanis Club. He was involved in the community for many years serving as past President of Smithfield Jaycees, Advisory Board Member of Nations Bank, Board Member of Obici Hospital, Board Member of Paul D. Camp Community College, Smithfield Planning Commission, Treasurer of Trinity United Methodist Church, Isle of Wight Board of Supervisors for 12 years, and Advisory Board Member of Sentara Healthcare.

A service celebrating Tom’s life will be conducted at 11:00 am, on Monday, January 20, 2025, at Little’s Funeral Home,1515 South Church Street, Smithfield, VA, with Rev. Joseph Savinsky officiating. The family will receive friends one hour before the service from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. A private burial will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Special Olympics VA, 3212 Skipwith Road, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23294 or Alzheimer’s Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871.

Arrangements are in the care of Little’s Funeral Home, Smithfield, VA.

Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com