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AHOSKIE – Jessie Thomas Dilday, 87, passed away on October 29, 2024 in Ahoskie, NC. Known by many as Tommy, he was born on November 29, 1936, in Hertford County, NC to parents Atwood D. and Annie Venell Perry Dilday.

Tommy graduated from Matthew Fontane Maury High School in Norfolk, VA where he was quarterback for the Commodores and voted most popular and most attractive personality. It was there that he met his bride of 64 years, Linda Lee Harris.

Tommy served in the US Air Force as an aircraft control and warning operator after the Korean war. After 4 years of service, he worked for Tenneco Oil Company. Tommy and Linda decided to move their young family and make their home in Ahoskie, NC, where he and his cousin Billy Dilday owned and operated the Western Auto Store for more than 15 years. Tommy also found time to work part-time for Garrett Funeral Home. After closing the store, Tommy went to work as a Rural Mail Carrier for the US Postal Service until his retirement.

Tommy was quite the handyman and could fix anything. He enjoyed sports, in particular golf, football, and baseball and stayed active until recent years. He sang bass in the choir at the Ahoskie United Methodist Church where he was a devout member and was recognized as lay person of the year in 2014. Tommy enjoyed spending special time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren some of which referred to him as Grandpop and P-Pop.

Along with his parents, Tommy is preceded in death by his sister, Betty Byrd. Tommy is survived by his spouse, Linda Harris Dilday; his daughters, Beth Flythe and husband Joseph, Allison Dillon and husband Stuart, and his son Stephen Dilday and wife Marla all of NC; his brother, Lloyd Dilday and wife Evelyn; his grandchildren, Tabitha Sosdian and husband Joshua, Jesse Flythe and wife Erica, Grady Dillon, Callie Barker and spouse Nathan, Courtney St. Clair and spouse Keith, and Cate Dilday; great grandchildren, Harper Flythe, Chesley Barker, Crofton St. Clair, and Cresson St. Clair.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Garrett-Sykes Chapel in Ahoskie, NC. The family invites friends to visit following the service.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Dilday family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.