Tommy Horace Sorrells

Tommy Horace Sorrells Easley, South Carolina Tommy Horace Sorrells peacefully passed on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. The Reverend H.F. Sorrells and Lila Sorrells welcomed their son, Tommy, on June 13, 1939. Tommy joined a family of his sisters Carolyn Ann and Sue as well as a brother, Lewis. Later, little sister Patricia was born and Tommy was thrilled because he was no longer called the baby. He even helped name Patricia. Tommy married Janie Winchester in 1960. They were married for sixty-four years. Both promoted faith, education (sixteen years), and service. Tommy and Janie set their three children-Tony, Debbie, and Tim on a path to success. His legacy as father, mentor, and friend lives on in his children. He instilled a deep sense of gratefulness in all things, at all times. Tommy was a victim of the polio virus, which left one leg paralyzed and uncooperative, but he never played the victim while living his eighty-four years. After a dear friend on the polio ward passed away, Tommy never failed to appreciate living and breathing. Shortly after his bout with polio, Easley High School elected him student body president. Although Tommy worked thirty-three years at the Singer Company and Ryobi as a Purchasing Manager, his main focus was his faith, his family and his community. If the church doors were cracked, his family was there. He promoted Bible study at home and when the children were on the younger end, he held family devotions. He taught his children how to live a Christ centered life and provided an example of faith in action. At Elljean Baptist Church, he was music director, Sunday School director, Training Union teacher, Bible School teacher, and deacon. He was never one to sit on the sidelines. At First Baptist Church, he was a deacon, Sunday School teacher and choir member. He loved worshipping in song and his greatest joy was being a choir member at Pickens First Baptist Church. He embraced his choir and orchestra family, lovingly directed by Bryan Hester. Over the last year, when he was bedridden, he still sang with the choir virtually. Nothing stopped his joyful singing. Tommy’s devotion to community revolved around Foothills Theater. He designed sets, constructed sets and acted in many productions. He volunteered at Foothills for over twenty years, averaging thirty hours a week. In his younger years, he served as assistant scoutmaster, Pickens High band booster president, chaperone for school field trips, and running coach to son Tim. Tommy created a cross-country team at Pickens High School, so his son Tim would have a team. PHS continues to have a cross-country team to this day. Tommy was an avid hunter. He hunted deer and turkey while mostly enjoying the camaraderie of fellow hunters. In his younger years, he was a national championship archer. The joy of his life was the role of Papa to his four spectacular grandchildren: Conor McManamon, Cierra Sorrells, Brendan McManamon and Maci Sorrells. Tommy also enjoyed his children, Tony (Tammy) Sorrells, Debbie McManamon and Tim (Shonda) Sorrells. Tommy may have had one less leg than others, but being differently abled never stopped him. His perseverance, determination, and grit inspired many around him. He will be missed. A joint memorial service will be held for both Janie and Tommy Sorrells at Pickens First Baptist Church on Friday January 17. Visitation will be from 1pm-3pm in the Fellowship Hall, with service to follow in the Sanctuary at 3:15pm. The address is 406 East Main Street, Pickens, S.C.29671. Mountain View Funeral Home – Pickens Chapel is serving the Sorrells family.

Tommy Horace Sorrells

June 13, 1939 - December 17, 2024