Obituary: Thomas Epps Chaney

January 13, 1935 – June 28, 2025

Thomas Epps Chaney, 90, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at home. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Tom lived a life grounded in faith, family, and service.

Tom was born on January 13, 1935, in Victoria, VA, and grew up in South Boston, VA. Tom served his country with pride and honor in the Marine Corps, where he was stationed in the US and Japan in the G2 top secret offices. Tom earned a degree in business from Virginia Tech in 1962. Tom had a 37-year career as the head of the accounting department at Hampton Industries, from which he retired in 2001. Tom enjoyed exercise and was an avid jogger. He was a devoted member of the Kinston Community Recreation Center and his church, Spilman Memorial Baptist, where he sang in the church choir and served on many committees.

Above all else, Tom was a family man. He married his high school sweetheart, Rosa Ann Osborne Chaney, on March 17th, 1962. They spent 63 years together building a life full of enduring love, joy, and unwavering devotion. Tom is survived by his wife; son, Thomas Hogan Chaney and wife Kay; and his daughter, Sandra Chaney Drum. He is survived by his four cherished grandchildren: Summer Drum Ali and husband Bilal, Erin Chaney Merritt and husband Parker, Sailor Alexis Drum, and Tanner Reefe Drum. He was especially proud to be a great-grandfather to Paul Parker Merritt V.

Tom is preceded in death by his beloved son, Roddy Ray Chaney; his parents, Mamie Garland Epps Chaney and John Richard Chaney Sr.; and his siblings, William Maynard Chaney, Mildred Garland Hogan, Dorothy Frances Cowan, John Richard Chaney Jr., and Barbara Jean Hodges.

Tom will be remembered for his sharp wit and joyful, booming laugh, which filled every room he entered; his beautiful singing voice, which rivaled Frank Sinatra; his fondness for sweet treats and old Western films; and his spirited collection of Virginia Tech apparel.

A service to celebrate Tom’s life will be held at Spilman Memorial Baptist Church in Kinston on Saturday, July 12th at 2pm, with visitation to follow.