Thomas Daniel Chastain

Thomas Daniel Chastain

Tommy Chastain (a/k/a Daddy, Papa, and Doughboy) had a date to meet the love of his life, Emma, for a dance on December 26, 2024, the day after celebrating the birth of his Savior. Tommy passed away after a short battle with cancer which he endured like any trial in his life—with quiet strength, a genial smile, no complaints, and worries only about the well-being of those around him. Tommy spent the last few weeks of his life doing what he loved with the ones that he loved. He hunted elk with his lifelong friend and son in the mountains of New Mexico, ate his weight in Georgia shrimp surrounded by his sister, sons, daughter, and grandchildren, made his family cornbread in a cast iron skillet, Buck Danced in his daughter’s kitchen, caught trout off the Georgia coast with his granddaughter, and stayed up late with his son and great friend telling stories about driving big trucks so fast the law couldn’t catch them. We all knew Emma wouldn’t let us keep him very long, so we packed everything in that we could.

Tommy was a son of Rabun County, Georgia in every sense of the phrase. He was born in the mountains to Jeff and Julie Chastain. He and his sister, Patsy, grew up in a loving home that was filed with fun and support. Tommy attended Rabun Gap-Nachoochee School where he played on the basketball team, and he graduated from the school in 1969. Tommy gained lifelong friends, learned lessons in hard work, and participated in more than his fair share of mischief at Rabun Gap. But most importantly he met the love of his life, Emma Buchanan.

The first time Tommy saw Emma, he turned to a friend and said, “I’m going to marry that girl.” He made good on that promise a few years later when he and Emma “snuck off” and exchanged vows that they would honor for the next fifty-four years. Theirs was an old-fashioned love with a modern twist. Emma was often the one in the limelight serving on boards and committees while Tommy was happy to work behind the scenes supporting their family’s countless acts of service. To see the way that Tommy’s blue eyes lit up when Emma walked in the room was to witness pure love.

Tommy had a successful career as owner of his family’s long-haul trucking business. He mentored countless drivers and was particularly fond of helping those who had fallen on hard times but were willing to work hard. While Tommy’s work took him over highways and byways from coast to coast, he was most happy when he was home on his farm in the North Georgia mountains. Tommy was a man of the land who could find water, grow an abundance of vegetables, rear cattle, and calmly break even the most stubborn horse. He carried on his family’s traditional farming methods and taught the next generation how to be stewards of God’s land and its bounty.

As a father and grandfather, Papa was unmatched in his kindness, patience, love, and pride. Tommy was a humble man who never boasted of his considerable accomplishments. But his grandchildren were a different matter. He was happy to tell anyone who would listen about their ball games, dance recitals, and stellar report cards. Tommy was a quiet man who rarely raised his voice, but he may have been asked to exit one or two of his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events when he expressed his displeasure with a referee’s performance.

Tommy loved the Lord, and it showed not just in his quiet words but his deeds. He was a lifelong member of the Head of Tennessee Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. Tommy and Emma were also longtime members of the church’s young adult bible study. Tommy was particularly supportive of the church’s youth ministry and relished telling his family about the scores of young children he helped host and feed each week at youth group.

Tommy leaves behind his three children, Wesley (Rhonda), Joseph (Amy), and Crystal Baker (Stan) as well as his prized grandchildren, Anna Beth Baker, Bella Grace Baker, Sarah Chastain, Dalton Keener, and Cole Keener. Also surviving are his sister Patsy Bennett (Rick) and many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

We thank the many people who have cared for and loved Tommy over his lifetime and particularly during the last difficult year. While our hearts break as we miss Tommy’s sweet smile, our family is comforted knowing that he is with the Lord and that he is dancing with Emma.

Visitation will be held at the Head of Tennessee Baptist Church in Dillard, Georgia on Sunday December 29, 2024, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Funeral service will be held on Monday, December 30, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Head of Tennessee Baptist Church. Please join us in the church fellowship hall after the service for food and fellowship.

 Hunter Funeral Home is overseeing arrangements. For more information, please call them at (706) 782-4243, or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.hunterfuneralhomega.com. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Head of Tennessee Baptist Church.