Tommy Christmas

Tommy Christmas, 18, of Paragould, died Thursday, December 22, 2011 at St. Bernards Medical Center. Born in Jonesboro, Tommy had lived his life in the Jonesboro/Paragould area. He was a senior this year at Greene County Tech High School where he was a member of the Chamber Singers, Rotary Club, Key Club, and was president and founder of the Thespian Club. Tommy was active in the theater program at Tech. He had played the lead in several productions at the school. He was also active in the community theater at the Collins Theater in Paragould. Tommy was very much aware of the needs of others. He had volunteered in a soup kitchen in Little Rock and raised money for a local animal shelter. He was known to help people in time of need and others depended on him. He picked his little brother up from school every day. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Paragould. He was also very involved with the Youth Advisory Council for the entire Diocese in Arkansas. In this capacity, Tommy helped to plan and implement youth retreats statewide. He was instrumental in the planning of these events. Tommy had planned to enter college after graduation as a pre-med major.

He is survived by his parents, Ernie & Mary Ann Christmas and Stacy Wicker; his brother, Trey Wicker, all of Paragould; his grandparents, Helen Christmas, Lynda & Edward Smith, Lorene Murphy; and many other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, “Pop” Tom Christmas.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Blessed Sacrament Church on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. with Father Jack Vu and Rev. Phillip Brown officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Paragould. Emerson Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.

Active pallbearers will be Joe Smith, Dustin Murphy, Anthony Hunt, Matt Robbins, Hunter Phelps, Chris Phelps, Zakk Frahler, and Jeremy Smith.

Visitation will be Wednesday 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home followed by the Rosary.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Collins Theater or Greene County Fine Arts Council for the Tommy Christmas Scholarship Fund, 2nd & W. Emerson Streets, Paragould, Arkansas, 72450.