T.T. 'Tommy' Prickett, II

t.t. 'tommy' prickett, ii
T.T. “Tommy” Prickett, II, age 84 of Carthage died Tuesday, September 26, 2017, at his home.

 

Funeral services will be 11:00 am Saturday, October 7, 2017 , at Carthage United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jim Bolyard, The Rev. Dr. William J. Maness, Jr., and Deacon Tom Porter officiating. Burial will follow in Cross Hill Cemetery.

 

Born in Sanford on March 20, 1933, to the late Turner Thomas and Saralyn Jacobson Prickett, Tommy grew up in Raleigh. He graduated from Broughton High School and attended NC State University. While in Raleigh he worked for the local radio station WPTF and also for Brown Wynne Funeral Home. He soon decided that funeral service would be the career path he would follow. He moved to Cincinnati where he attended Cincinnati School of Embalming (Now Cincinnati School of Mortuary Science). After completing his schooling and obtaining his license in Funeral Directing and Embalming he went to work for Forbis and Murray Funeral Home (now Forbis and Dick Funeral Home) in Greensboro. After that, he worked in Red Springs for Waverly Barrum. In 1957 he moved to Carthage and bought R.G. Fry and Son Funeral Home and that is where he settled for the rest of his life.

 

In 1969 he bought the old dilapidated Muse house on the corner of Rockingham and Saunders Streets in Carthage. Thinking the house could be restored to its original beauty from 1892, Tommy would spend the next 18 months working with others day and night to create the all-new Fry & Prickett Funeral Home. Finally, on April 18, 1971, the doors opened and the hard labor paid off as the Carthage community raved over the new facility. Today the evidence and memories of Tommy’s hard work resonates everytime the doors are open.

 

Later in life, Tommy had the opportunity to expand his business with his friend and business partner of 27 years Robert Nunnaley. Together they purchased Kennedy Funeral Home in Robbins and Powell Funeral Home & Crematory in Southern Pines which allowed them to serve all areas of Moore County.

 

This year marked 60 years of service for Tommy to the Carthage and Moore County communities and while his declining health has prohibited him from working the last few years he has still remained a pillar in the community and a mentor to the staff at the funeral homes. For 60 years Tommy worked in Carthage serving the community in all their needs. He always said, “Carthage has been good to me.” And may we add Tommy was good to Carthage though he never talked about it. Even in his last days, his concerns were to be sure his family and friends were going to be okay once he was gone.

 

Tommy was active in the community serving in the Carthage Jaycees, the Rotary Club of Carthage, the Carthage Volunteer Fire Department and the Carthage Century Committee. He was also proud of his service to various boards including FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, BB&T, Moore County Chapter of American Red Cross and Carolina Eye. He was the 1998 recipient of the Citizen of the Year award from the Rotary Club of Carthage. Tommy was also an active member of Carthage United Methodist Church where he served on various committees and boards.

 

Tommy was a caring and compassionate man who was well loved by all who knew him. The countless things he secretly did for others will never be known. He truly lived life by putting others first.

 

He is survived by his wife of 29 years Jean Yarborough Prickett; children Lyn Prickett Austin and husband Van of Pinehurst, Kathy Prickett of Carthage, Turner T. Prickett, III and wife Karen of Raleigh, Bobby “Bocephus” Cooke of KY; sisters Ethelyn P. Taylor of Carthage, Saralyn P. Hawkins and husband Bill of Hixson, TN; a niece who he raised as his daughter Gelynda Underwood and husband Fess of Carthage; grandchildren Nichole Prickett MacVittie and husband Eric, Zac Cooke. A special and caring nephew David “Jeffer” Craft and wife Maggie; great-niece Katy “Snicklefritz” Craft. Tommy also has extended family in Texas who loved and adored him, as well as a former daughter in law Kristin Fuhrmannek Swiertz and husband Eric of Wisconsin.

 

The family will receive friends at Fry & Prickett Funeral Home on Friday, October 6 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM and other times at the home.

 

Memorials may be made to Carthage Fire Department 4396 HWY 15/501, Carthage, NC 28327 or to Carthage Century Committee, Post Office Box 460 Carthage, NC 28327.

 

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  1. Jean,

    Our condolences go out to you all during this time of great loss. This is a great loss for all of us. Tommy was a statesman and gentleman in every sense of the word. He has done so much for me and my family over the years and we are so

  2. Lyn and family, We were so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. May God hold you in the palm of His hand and give you peace. Much love to all.

  3. Tommy will be missed by so many people, because he was loved by so many people. I will always be grateful to him for being such a good friend to my whole family when my daddy passed away. He mourned right along with us. Rest in peace Tommy and tell daddy

  4. Lyn, T, Kathy and family. I’m so so sorry for the loss of your dad. He was such a huge part of our high school years but even before that he was a frequent visitor at the store. I love you guys and am thinking about all of you. Praying for strength and pe

  5. We are certainly sorry to hear of Tommy’s passing. There was never a finer Christian man, that was so well respected in this community than Tommy. He was a compassionate man to all he served and helped in this area. Jean, Jo Ann and I will be keeping you,

  6. To the Prickett family, my condolences and prayers are with you. It was a pleasure getting to know your family; and, I must say Tommy’s smile would light up a room! He was always pleasant to me, even when I knew he was in pain. My visit with him last year

  7. Pastor Mashburn said it best. We all will miss Tommy. He has been a real friend to my extended family in many ways when we experienced deaths of many family members. My sympathy to his immediate family and to the entire community.

  8. I was so sad to hear of Tommy’s passing. He was such a humble man and so soft spoken. I remember meeting Tommy for the first time when I worked at BB&T in Carthage. He always came through the drive thru with a beautiful bright smile and always asked about

  9. Tommy helped us when our Mother passed. He was so helpful. My family appreciated his assistance. Sending condolences.

  10. So sad to learn of Tommy’s passing. With sincere sympathy to the family at this difficult time. Tommy was an institution here in Carthage and will be missed by many. His smile and pleasant greetings were always offered at any contact. He has served this c

  11. Jean,

    No words can express your loss. Tommy was always soft spoken and a perfect

    southern gentleman and funeral director. He will be missed by not only you but the Carthage community for his many years of service to the people of Carthage.

  12. Lyn, TTP II, Kathy and Jean, Our thoughts and prayers are with all ya’ll today and all our tomorrows. We have lost a great man, a loving father and devoted spouse. He was the first man older than myself that requested me to simply call him ‘Tommy’. I will

  13. So sorry for your loss. Dad & Mom: Charles & Edith Wadsworth & our entire family so loved Tommy. My dad was in the funeral services for awhile. To Lyn, Kathy & T…it’s so hard to loose a parent..My heart is broken for you. I pray the Lord will guide you.

  14. Condolences , love and prayers, Tommy was very well loved and respected by all of us here Carthage. During our times of sorrow, he was an arm to hold. and a gentle soul to lift you up.

    In Our prayers. Alan & Patricia Arrington & Famil

  15. Kathy, Our condolences to you and the whole family. Tommy was a great man who loved the Lord and loved caring for others. He will always hold a special place in my heart as he was a good friend to me and my family. He will never be forgotten and wi

  16. Tommy served our family numerous times over the decades with grace, kindness, and professionalism. Just his presence and demeanor brought a calmness and comfort to folks at their lowest point. His dedication to the community, his profession, and his score

  17. Our condolences to Jean and all the family. We are so sorry. Tommy was a good friend of ours. He and Jack were in the hospital together two years ago. Both of them had had a stroke. Tommy was good to all the community. He had a lot of friends. I know all

  18. We are saddened by the loss of Tommy. He was a true friend and gentleman in all respects. He assisted with all our family funerals. No one will ever replace him. Carthage is a better place for him being here. He was in ER one night many years ago where I

  19. Tommy was a first class individual. He always treated me with respect and dignity. He was a man of honor and you could count on him Always doing what he said he would do. The last time I saw Tommy he grabbed my hand and said thanks for being my friend. I

  20. So sorry for your lose. Tommy was the first person to every treat me like a man. I always had great respect for him. Robert Crissman

  21. Sending deepest condolences to the Prickett family and to the Frye/Prickett staff.

    Staff of Tyndall Funeral Home, Mt.Olive, NC

  22. On behalf of our entire staff, please accept our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Mr. Prickett. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you in the coming days. –Village Design Group

  23. SPATHIPHYLLUM was sent by The Oaks at Whitaker Glen – Mayview .

    Because we care!!! You’re in our thoughts and hearts.

    The Mayview tram

  24. Kathy, and family,

    I am very saddened to learn of the passing of your father. When a parent dies, a part of us dies too. My warmest thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family, especially over the next couple of weeks. Kim G and I will be


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