Thomas "Tom" Cecil Rushing

OBITUARY

BELLVILLE: Thomas “Tom” Cecil Rushing, born August 1, 1940, passed away on September 21, 2026, surrounded by the love of a family who adored him and will forever feel the tremendous absence left by his passing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Bertha Waters Rushing; his beloved wife, Kathryn “Rosa” Rushing; and his sisters, Madelene R. Howell and Jewel R. Bolen.

SURVIVORS: He is survived by his four daughters, Amy (Wes) Rogers of Statesboro, Nancy (Kelly) Hopkins of Claxton, Tammy (Barry) Anderson of Register, and Cathy Rushing Daniel (Bill) of Claxton. He was a proud and much-loved grandfather to Jessica Braly of Claxton; Thomas (Katelyn) Satterfield of Brooklet; Brent (Jessica) Anderson of Statesboro; Barrett (Leighann) Anderson of Register; Candace (Rich) Kemmerer of Statesboro; Carly (David) Findley of Lyons; and Crystal (Shaan) Hall of Claxton. His legacy continues through his great-grandchildren: Zach Braly, Jesse Braly, Alexis Braly, Tatum Satterfield, Addi Anderson, Owen Anderson, Nolan Anderson, Johnny Williams, Riley Anderson, Walker Anderson, Catelyn Stockdale, Lexi Stockdale, Olivia Kemmerer, Charli Kate Lynn, Rosa Jaymes Findley, and Caison Smith. Great-great grandchildren: Annelise Williams, Adaline Williams He is also survived by his very special friend and devoted caregiver, Mandy Stubbs of Mendes, who cared for Thomas with extraordinary love, compassion, and devotion. Mandy was much more than a caregiver; she became a cherished part of his life and of his family. She loved him dearly, and the family will forever be grateful for the exceptional care, companionship, laughter, and love she gave their daddy. Thomas is also survived by his longtime best friend and fishing buddy, Mike Pinkcard. Through the years, Thomas and Mike shared countless fishing trips, stories, laughs, and adventures–and, as the family would tell you, probably found themselves in a little trouble together from time to time. Their friendship was one of a kind, built on many years of loyalty, laughter, and memories. Mike was more than a friend to Thomas; he was family, and their friendship was a treasured part of Thomas’ life. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and a host of extended family members and friends who loved him dearly. Thomas proudly served his country for two years in the United States Navy. He later worked in Civil Service at Fort Stewart for more than 25 years. But if you asked those who knew him best, perhaps the greatest job he ever had was serving as co-owner and operator of Little Darlins’ Daycare, where generations of children affectionately knew and loved him as “Granddaddy M&M.” And Granddaddy M&M was a title he wore proudly. He loved spoiling the children at the daycare with treats, cutting up, acting silly, and doing just about anything he could to make them laugh. He had a special way with children, and there are many who grew up with wonderful memories of Granddaddy M&M and the joy he brought into their lives. Thomas never met a stranger. He could strike up a conversation with just about anyone, and before long, they would feel as though they had known him for years. He was also famous for telling people that his job was “adding the raisins in Claxton Fruitcake.” It was not true—but if you knew Thomas, you also knew that figuring out where the truth ended and one of his stories began was half the fun. He loved to fish, loved to laugh, and most certainly loved to “cut up.” You never quite knew whether he was telling you the absolute truth or pulling your leg, and chances are, that was exactly how he wanted it. But underneath all the jokes, stories, and mischief was a man with an enormous heart. Thomas was a member of Sikes Chapel Methodist Church and a member of Ezel Lodge No. 335 in Claxton for more than 50 years. He was also a dedicated Shriner for more than 50 years. His commitment to the Shriners was much more than membership. Over the years, he personally drove children and their families in his own vehicle to receive the medical care and assistance they needed. Helping children was not something he simply talked about—it was something he quietly and faithfully did. As much as he loved his friends, fishing, telling stories, making people laugh, and helping others, nothing compared to the love he had for his family. He loved his girls, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren, and especially his beloved Rosa. He often jokingly referred to Mrs. Rosa as “E.F. Hutton.” Those who know, know—because when she spoke, people listened…especially Thomas. Their love was one of the great loves of his life, and his family takes comfort in knowing that he and his Rosa are together again. To his daughters, he was simply the best daddy a girl could ever ask for. To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was a source of laughter, love, stories, and memories that will be told for generations. To countless children, he was Granddaddy M&M. To his friends, he was the kind of person you never forgot. Thomas had one of those personalities that filled a room. If you ever met him, chances are you remembered him. He had so many friends and family members who loved him deeply, and his passing leaves a hole in this world that cannot be filled. They simply don’t make people like Thomas Cecil Rushing anymore. His family will miss his stories, his jokes, his laughter, his mischievous grin, and even trying to figure out whether he was telling the truth. Most of all, they will miss the man behind all of it—the daddy, Granddaddy, great-granddaddy, friend, and servant to others who loved his family with his whole heart and brought laughter wherever he went.

VISITATION: Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. at Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home.

FUNERAL: Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 11:00 A.M. at Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home Chapel, with interment at Sikes Chapel Methodist Church.

Flowers are welcome, or those wishing to honor Thomas’s memory may make a donation to Shriners Children’s Hospital or to the charity of their choice. His stories will be repeated. His jokes will still make us laugh. His love will continue through the family he cherished. And somewhere, we have a feeling Thomas is already telling somebody that he was the man who put the raisins in the Claxton Fruitcake.

Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home in charge of arrangements

“Our Family Serving Your Family”

“Since 1917”

(912) 739-3338

www.nesmithfuneralhome.com