Thomas C Poteet, Sr.

Augusta, GA - Thomas C. Poteet Sr. passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on April 27, 2025.

Tommy was born in 1937 in Augusta, GA to the late Annabel Blackston and Henry Wilson Poteet. He is preceded in death by his sons, Gregory Carlton Poteet and infant son Cornelius Vaughan Poteet.

Tommy was a graduate of Boy’s Catholic High School, attended Augusta Junior College, and was a 1958 graduate of the John A. Gupton School of Mortuary Science in Nashville, TN. Tommy was often asked, when did you start working in the funeral business, he would say, “when mama brought me home from the hospital at a week old”. He worked and lived in the funeral home alongside his father, mother and his brother Howard until their deaths. Until the early 70s, funeral homes were in the ambulance service as well as funeral service. Tommy had many stories, some humorous, of picking up ailing clients. His first heartbreak was when his pet chicken was run over by one of the ambulances as it sped from the building in the middle of the night.

In 2002 he and his son Buzz founded Thomas Poteet and Son Funeral Directors and he was happy to have two of his grandchildren join them recently. For the last 13 years Tommy has been accompanied at work by his faithful dog Max, who left him in January. Tommy spent the last 70 years serving his community and its families.

Tommy was a longtime member of St Mary on the Hill Catholic Church and had been a member of numerous professional and civic organizations including: The Irish American Heritage Society (past president) and 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Irish Family of the Year recipient, Knights of Columbus Patrick Walsh Council, St. Mary On The Hill Parish Council, Beech Island Agricultural Club, Summerville Exchange Club (past president), Augusta Richmond County Coliseum Authority and the Augusta Jaycee’s (past president).

Tommy’s most important accomplishment was his love for his family and faith in God. Every one of his children thought that he loved them the most! Like most children, his children believed that he was the best Dad in the world. Not a day passed that he didn’t talk on the phone or was with one or all of his children. He left an enduring legacy and beautiful memories to sustain his children until they see him again. His family takes comfort in knowing their daddy looked forward to seeing his two sons, Greg and Vaughan Poteet.

Tommy is survived by his six children: Anna Poteet Lewis (Michael), Thomas C. “Buzz” Poteet Jr. (LaStarr), Margaret Elizabeth Poteet (Ben Smith), Stephen Wilson Poteet, Andrew Vaughan Poteet (Carolina), Clare Poteet Boulus (Greg), his companion and best friend, Patricia McCarthy Atha; grandchildren; Isabella Poteet Jenkins (Noah), Thomas Clifford Poteet III, Lillian Grace Poteet, Henry Wilson Poteet, Emmeline O’Connell Poteet, William Ellery Poteet, Elizabeth Jane Lewis, Annabel Cristina Poteet, Andrew Vaughan Poteet Jr., Daisy Marie Poteet, Reid Carlton Poteet, Cannon Lewis Poteet, Brody O’Connell Poteet, Jude Campbell Poteet, Gregory Scott Boulus, Thomas Vaughan Boulus, and Edward Pierce Boulus, his great grandson: Patrick Vaughan Jenkins and the mother of his children: Kerry Vaughan Poteet Walker (Joe).

A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Mary on the Hill with Fr. Mark Ross celebrant. The family will receive friends following the service.

A graveside service was held at Westover Memorial Park on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, with Fr. Allan J. McDonald officiating. Pallbearers were his grandsons. Memorials may be made to St Mary on the Hill Catholic Church or one’s favorite charity.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com