Thomas W. Acuff, 64, of Riceville, died Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Starr Regional Medical Center.
Thomas was born in Harlan, Kentucky and was a son of the late Earl B. and Ethel Mae Wyatt Acuff. He was also preceded in death by a brother John Edward Acuff.
He spent his childhood in Bristol, Virginia. He graduated from Virginia High School in 1971. He attended Tennessee Wesleyan College, where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and graduated in 1975. He would later study at Cleveland State Community College, where he would later teach Computer programming and Data Processing.
He was a member of Allen Memorial United Methodist Church in Athens. In 1988 he began working at Mayfield Dairy Farms where he would work until 2014.
An avid reader, he was a fan of Stephen King, Patricia Cornwell, Dean Koontz, James Patterson and Joe R. Lansdale. He loved to travel and explore. He loved spending time with his family. He loved trips to the beach, he loved all animals especially dogs, and loved movies.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Betty Mathis Acuff of Riceville; one daughter, April Lynn Slatton of Chattanooga; one son, Thomas Earl Acuff and his friend Shyam Nunley of Athens; one grandson, Thomas Slatton; five sisters, Charlotte Acuff of Sweetwater, Jan Jackson of Cincinnati, OH, Betty Smith and her husband James of Churchill,TN, Annette Acuff of Bristol, VA, and Brenda Maiden and her husband Ray of Jellico,TN.; one brother, Charles Acuff of Bluff City, TN; three sisters-in-law Linda Acuff of Pinckney, Michigan, Pat (Joe) Kraft of Big Canoe, GA, and Glenna Fothergil of Swainton, NJ; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be conducted, 4:30 pm, Wednesday, March 8, 2017 in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with Rev. Charla Sherbokoff officiating. The family will receive friends, Wednesday from 2:30-4:30 pm at the funeral home prior to the service.
The family suggests memorial be made to the E.G. Fisher Public Library, 1289 Ingleside Avenue, Athens, TN 37303; or McMinn Regional Humane Society, 219 Alford Street, Athens, TN 37303.

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