Thomas Matterson "Tommy" Ariail, age 82, of Spartanburg, SC, passed away on Monday, July 25, 2021, following a brief illness.
Born in Easley, SC in 1939, son of the late William Doyce and Helen Spearman Ariail; husband of the late Lavana Cogdill Pitts-Ariail
A star basketball and football player in high school, and a college recruit, attended Clemson University earning a bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering in 1961.
After graduating from Clemson University, Tommy moved to Arcadia, SC and began a long and successful career in the textile industry, spending 27 years in leadership at Mayfair Mills where he served as Plant Manager of the Baily Plant from 1973 to 1988, then went on to work for Spartan Mills from 1988 to 1991 and ended his textile career at Beale Manufacturing in Ranlo NC. During this time, he was an active member of the Southern Textile Association serving as President and then Chairman of the Board of Governors. He later received the prestigious David Clark Award and Steve Epps Lifetime Service Award for his exemplary leadership to the textile industry.
Following his formal retirement, continued to teach and mentor the next generation of textile leaders through his work at Tri-County Technical College in Anderson, SC and continued serving as an adjunct professor until 2018 and received the Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award.
A committed member of the Spartanburg community, serving 18 years on the Spartanburg County Board of Education for District 6 (Chairman 1985 and 1986), was also involved in the Spartanburg Development Association, the Ruritan Club, and the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce's Quality in the Workplace Program. He was a speaker on creating quality-oriented work environments and worked with the Chamber of Commerce in Statesboro, GA to assist them in starting a quality improvement program for industry in that area.
Aside from his family, Tommy's greatest love was his church of 60 years, Arcadia United Methodist Church in Arcadia, SC. He raised his three children in the church and, over the years, held every leadership position available to a member of the church. On the last Sunday before his death, Tommy lead a bible study and served as lay leader.
Tommy was instrumental in the founding of ARCH ministries, a program serving at-risk youth from Arcadia Elementary. Until his death, Tommy remained an active leader in the ARCH ministry working tirelessly to benefit the next generation. He was a proud member of the choir, Dogs & Dogma (a Wednesday night bible study) and United Methodist Men. His closest friendships were forged within the church congregation, and he was committed to his church and his faith throughout his life.
Tommy was blessed with a large, blended family. He was a loving father to his daughters, Lisa Ariail Oehmig (Leib) and Amy Ariail Knowlton (Randy), and his son, Thomas E. Ariail (Angela). In addition, Tommy felt blessed to have expanded his family with his wife Lavana's, four sons, C. Irvin Pitts Jr. (Ann), R. Cullen Pitts (Jennifer), J. Joby Pitts (Laura), and W. Tipton Pitts (Cathy). Tommy was also a loving grandfather and great-grandfather to his 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
Predeceased also by his sister, Ellouise Arial Whaley (1932–2013); and brother, Doyce William Ariail, Jr. (1937–2009).
Visitation with the family was from 5:30 - 7:30 pm, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in the sanctuary of Arcadia United Methodist Church.
A service for the remembrance and celebration of his life was held at 11:00 am, Friday, July 30, 2021, in the sanctuary of Arcadia United Methodist. The family remained available for visitation after the service.
His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone with whom he interacted and ministered. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family requested that his commitment to kindness, loyalty and compassion continue by memorials to Arcadia United Methodist Church, Arcadia, SC.
Published by Spartanburg Herald-Journal
Jul 28-30, 2021
Born in Easley, SC in 1939, son of the late William Doyce and Helen Spearman Ariail; husband of the late Lavana Cogdill Pitts-Ariail
A star basketball and football player in high school, and a college recruit, attended Clemson University earning a bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering in 1961.
After graduating from Clemson University, Tommy moved to Arcadia, SC and began a long and successful career in the textile industry, spending 27 years in leadership at Mayfair Mills where he served as Plant Manager of the Baily Plant from 1973 to 1988, then went on to work for Spartan Mills from 1988 to 1991 and ended his textile career at Beale Manufacturing in Ranlo NC. During this time, he was an active member of the Southern Textile Association serving as President and then Chairman of the Board of Governors. He later received the prestigious David Clark Award and Steve Epps Lifetime Service Award for his exemplary leadership to the textile industry.
Following his formal retirement, continued to teach and mentor the next generation of textile leaders through his work at Tri-County Technical College in Anderson, SC and continued serving as an adjunct professor until 2018 and received the Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award.
A committed member of the Spartanburg community, serving 18 years on the Spartanburg County Board of Education for District 6 (Chairman 1985 and 1986), was also involved in the Spartanburg Development Association, the Ruritan Club, and the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce's Quality in the Workplace Program. He was a speaker on creating quality-oriented work environments and worked with the Chamber of Commerce in Statesboro, GA to assist them in starting a quality improvement program for industry in that area.
Aside from his family, Tommy's greatest love was his church of 60 years, Arcadia United Methodist Church in Arcadia, SC. He raised his three children in the church and, over the years, held every leadership position available to a member of the church. On the last Sunday before his death, Tommy lead a bible study and served as lay leader.
Tommy was instrumental in the founding of ARCH ministries, a program serving at-risk youth from Arcadia Elementary. Until his death, Tommy remained an active leader in the ARCH ministry working tirelessly to benefit the next generation. He was a proud member of the choir, Dogs & Dogma (a Wednesday night bible study) and United Methodist Men. His closest friendships were forged within the church congregation, and he was committed to his church and his faith throughout his life.
Tommy was blessed with a large, blended family. He was a loving father to his daughters, Lisa Ariail Oehmig (Leib) and Amy Ariail Knowlton (Randy), and his son, Thomas E. Ariail (Angela). In addition, Tommy felt blessed to have expanded his family with his wife Lavana's, four sons, C. Irvin Pitts Jr. (Ann), R. Cullen Pitts (Jennifer), J. Joby Pitts (Laura), and W. Tipton Pitts (Cathy). Tommy was also a loving grandfather and great-grandfather to his 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
Predeceased also by his sister, Ellouise Arial Whaley (1932–2013); and brother, Doyce William Ariail, Jr. (1937–2009).
Visitation with the family was from 5:30 - 7:30 pm, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in the sanctuary of Arcadia United Methodist Church.
A service for the remembrance and celebration of his life was held at 11:00 am, Friday, July 30, 2021, in the sanctuary of Arcadia United Methodist. The family remained available for visitation after the service.
His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone with whom he interacted and ministered. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family requested that his commitment to kindness, loyalty and compassion continue by memorials to Arcadia United Methodist Church, Arcadia, SC.
Published by Spartanburg Herald-Journal
Jul 28-30, 2021
Thomas Matterson "Tommy" Ariail, age 82, of Spartanburg, SC, passed away on Monday, July 25, 2021, following a brief illness.
Born in Easley, SC in 1939, son of the late William Doyce and Helen Spearman Ariail; husband of the late Lavana Cogdill Pitts-Ariail
A star basketball and football player in high school, and a college recruit, attended Clemson University earning a bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering in 1961.
After graduating from Clemson University, Tommy moved to Arcadia, SC and began a long and successful career in the textile industry, spending 27 years in leadership at Mayfair Mills where he served as Plant Manager of the Baily Plant from 1973 to 1988, then went on to work for Spartan Mills from 1988 to 1991 and ended his textile career at Beale Manufacturing in Ranlo NC. During this time, he was an active member of the Southern Textile Association serving as President and then Chairman of the Board of Governors. He later received the prestigious David Clark Award and Steve Epps Lifetime Service Award for his exemplary leadership to the textile industry.
Following his formal retirement, continued to teach and mentor the next generation of textile leaders through his work at Tri-County Technical College in Anderson, SC and continued serving as an adjunct professor until 2018 and received the Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award.
A committed member of the Spartanburg community, serving 18 years on the Spartanburg County Board of Education for District 6 (Chairman 1985 and 1986), was also involved in the Spartanburg Development Association, the Ruritan Club, and the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce's Quality in the Workplace Program. He was a speaker on creating quality-oriented work environments and worked with the Chamber of Commerce in Statesboro, GA to assist them in starting a quality improvement program for industry in that area.
Aside from his family, Tommy's greatest love was his church of 60 years, Arcadia United Methodist Church in Arcadia, SC. He raised his three children in the church and, over the years, held every leadership position available to a member of the church. On the last Sunday before his death, Tommy lead a bible study and served as lay leader.
Tommy was instrumental in the founding of ARCH ministries, a program serving at-risk youth from Arcadia Elementary. Until his death, Tommy remained an active leader in the ARCH ministry working tirelessly to benefit the next generation. He was a proud member of the choir, Dogs & Dogma (a Wednesday night bible study) and United Methodist Men. His closest friendships were forged within the church congregation, and he was committed to his church and his faith throughout his life.
Tommy was blessed with a large, blended family. He was a loving father to his daughters, Lisa Ariail Oehmig (Leib) and Amy Ariail Knowlton (Randy), and his son, Thomas E. Ariail (Angela). In addition, Tommy felt blessed to have expanded his family with his wife Lavana's, four sons, C. Irvin Pitts Jr. (Ann), R. Cullen Pitts (Jennifer), J. Joby Pitts (Laura), and W. Tipton Pitts (Cathy). Tommy was also a loving grandfather and great-grandfather to his 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
Predeceased also by his sister, Ellouise Arial Whaley (1932–2013); and brother, Doyce William Ariail, Jr. (1937–2009).
Visitation with the family was from 5:30 - 7:30 pm, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in the sanctuary of Arcadia United Methodist Church.
A service for the remembrance and celebration of his life was held at 11:00 am, Friday, July 30, 2021, in the sanctuary of Arcadia United Methodist. The family remained available for visitation after the service.
His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone with whom he interacted and ministered. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family requested that his commitment to kindness, loyalty and compassion continue by memorials to Arcadia United Methodist Church, Arcadia, SC.
Published by Spartanburg Herald-Journal
Jul 28-30, 2021
Born in Easley, SC in 1939, son of the late William Doyce and Helen Spearman Ariail; husband of the late Lavana Cogdill Pitts-Ariail
A star basketball and football player in high school, and a college recruit, attended Clemson University earning a bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering in 1961.
After graduating from Clemson University, Tommy moved to Arcadia, SC and began a long and successful career in the textile industry, spending 27 years in leadership at Mayfair Mills where he served as Plant Manager of the Baily Plant from 1973 to 1988, then went on to work for Spartan Mills from 1988 to 1991 and ended his textile career at Beale Manufacturing in Ranlo NC. During this time, he was an active member of the Southern Textile Association serving as President and then Chairman of the Board of Governors. He later received the prestigious David Clark Award and Steve Epps Lifetime Service Award for his exemplary leadership to the textile industry.
Following his formal retirement, continued to teach and mentor the next generation of textile leaders through his work at Tri-County Technical College in Anderson, SC and continued serving as an adjunct professor until 2018 and received the Adjunct Faculty Presidential Award.
A committed member of the Spartanburg community, serving 18 years on the Spartanburg County Board of Education for District 6 (Chairman 1985 and 1986), was also involved in the Spartanburg Development Association, the Ruritan Club, and the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce's Quality in the Workplace Program. He was a speaker on creating quality-oriented work environments and worked with the Chamber of Commerce in Statesboro, GA to assist them in starting a quality improvement program for industry in that area.
Aside from his family, Tommy's greatest love was his church of 60 years, Arcadia United Methodist Church in Arcadia, SC. He raised his three children in the church and, over the years, held every leadership position available to a member of the church. On the last Sunday before his death, Tommy lead a bible study and served as lay leader.
Tommy was instrumental in the founding of ARCH ministries, a program serving at-risk youth from Arcadia Elementary. Until his death, Tommy remained an active leader in the ARCH ministry working tirelessly to benefit the next generation. He was a proud member of the choir, Dogs & Dogma (a Wednesday night bible study) and United Methodist Men. His closest friendships were forged within the church congregation, and he was committed to his church and his faith throughout his life.
Tommy was blessed with a large, blended family. He was a loving father to his daughters, Lisa Ariail Oehmig (Leib) and Amy Ariail Knowlton (Randy), and his son, Thomas E. Ariail (Angela). In addition, Tommy felt blessed to have expanded his family with his wife Lavana's, four sons, C. Irvin Pitts Jr. (Ann), R. Cullen Pitts (Jennifer), J. Joby Pitts (Laura), and W. Tipton Pitts (Cathy). Tommy was also a loving grandfather and great-grandfather to his 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
Predeceased also by his sister, Ellouise Arial Whaley (1932–2013); and brother, Doyce William Ariail, Jr. (1937–2009).
Visitation with the family was from 5:30 - 7:30 pm, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in the sanctuary of Arcadia United Methodist Church.
A service for the remembrance and celebration of his life was held at 11:00 am, Friday, July 30, 2021, in the sanctuary of Arcadia United Methodist. The family remained available for visitation after the service.
His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone with whom he interacted and ministered. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family requested that his commitment to kindness, loyalty and compassion continue by memorials to Arcadia United Methodist Church, Arcadia, SC.
Published by Spartanburg Herald-Journal
Jul 28-30, 2021
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