Tommy Helen Altizer, 90, of Elizabethton, passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2016, at Johnson City Medical Center following an extended illness. Tommy was born in Raven, Va., to the late Thomas Matthew Cruey and Ollie Mae Hall Cruey. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Claude Charles Altizer, and several siblings.
Tommy had worked as a sales manager in the funeral industry and was of the Christian faith. She loved nature watching, spending time with all of her family and cooking, gardening and trout fishing.
Those left to cherish her memory include four children, Mike Altizer and wife Jane, Alan Altizer and wife Kristy, Beth Grindstaff and husband Dr. Rob Grindstaff, and Jack Altizer and wife Zena; seven grandchildren, Riley Thompson and husband Rev. Jason Thompson, Becky Johnson and husband Wes Johnson, Kelli Humphreys and husband Landon Humphreys, Jordan Grindstaff and partner Perry Clayton, Carly Hylen and husband Phillip Hylen, Gabriel Altizer and Emily Altizer; nine great-grandchildren, Ian, Griffin, Simon, Jackson, Hayden, Grayson, Colton, Noah and McCoy; and three sisters, Bonnie Altizer, Audrey Whitt and Peggy Stull.
A celebration of life service for Tommy Helen Altizer will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 8, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Rev. Mark Street and Rev. Jason Thompson officiating. Music will be under the direction of Rev. Jason Thompson. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 6 until 7:30 p.m. Friday, prior to the service, or at the residence of her daughter, in the Lincoln Subdivision in Elizabethton, at other times. The committal and entombment service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 9, at the Oak Hill Mausoleum III at Oak Hill Memorial Park in Kingsport, Tenn. Active pallbearers will be Alan Altizer, Mike Altizer, Jack Altizer, Landon Humphreys, Rev. Jason Thompson, Mark Altizer, Ian Thompson, Gabriel Altizer and Wes Johnson. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the cemetery at 10:45 a.m. Saturday. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Altizer family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.