12/28/2025
Tommy Joe Scyphers, 79, of Athens, WV, formerly of Bradshaw, WV, and Mansfield, OH, went on to be with the Lord on Christmas evening 2025 at WVU Medical Center Princeton Hospital. The first of seven children of the late Joseph M. Scyphers and the late Lilly Mae (Church) Scyphers, Tommy was born on October 13, 1946, in Bradshaw, WV.
At the young age of seventeen, he left his home and Iaeger High School to enlist in the U.S. Navy. After proudly serving our country, his career took him to Flint, Michigan, and Ashland, Ohio, where he spent over thirty years in management for Mead and PCA. He spent another ten years at Kroger in Mansfield, OH, before he and his loving wife of fifty-six years, Donna (Long) Scyphers, retired to Almost Heaven West Virginia to be closer to his siblings and enjoy working their small farm.
Tommy loved his large family and all animals, especially their border collies Moe, Molly, Coco, and Roxy, along with the recently departed tuxedo cat, Oreo, and their newest fur baby kitty, Mini (the mouse catcher). Long days tending their garden with Donna or cutting wood and working on vehicles with his brother James filled most of his time. He also enjoyed woodworking, fishing, all sports (especially the WVU Mountaineers) and listening to country music by his backyard campfire in the evenings.
As a lifetime member, he would never miss a meeting with the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 628 in Princeton, WV. He was a man of small stature, but he could wipe his plate clean alongside the biggest of them all - especially when his wife kept him happy at home with her cooking and baking from scratch.
Most importantly, he relished every Sunday sitting in the pews to hear the messages from Pastor Randy Sargent and the beautiful singing of the church choir (including his wife Donna) at Painters Chapel Church in Speedway, WV.
Those left to cherish his memory are his three children, U.S. Marine Veteran Tommy Joe Scyphers II (Sharon Staton) of Mansfield, OH; Deanne Scyphers-Ensminger (Dustin) of Mansfield, OH; and Joseph Wayne Scyphers (late wife Jamey) of Mansfield, OH.
Additionally, those forever close to him are his six siblings: Naomi (Estil) Baker of Asheboro, NC; U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran James (Legrthel) Scyphers of Athens, WV; Carol Rowe of Sophia, NC; Brenda (Dale) Roberts of North Tazewell, VA; Debra Caldwell (Joe Schaub) of Camden, SC; and Donna Scyphers (Rich Vermette) of Randleman, NC;
uncle Clayton (Vickie) Webb of Pineville, WV, along with a special nephew, Anthony Scyphers, and brother-in-law U.S. Army Veteran Clifford (Carol) Long.
His lineage includes eleven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren - all the apples of his eye. Granddaughter Brittany (Justin) Britton with great-grandchildren Elliana and Addilynn Britton; Grandaughter Bethany (Jacob Clark) Scyphers with great-grandchildren Oakley Scyphers and Wesson Clark; Grandson U.S. Army Veteran Brandon (Jordan) Scyphers with bonus great-grandchildren Ava and Charlie Shipley ; Grandaughter Alexis (Darren) Moore with great-grandchildren Madilynn and Evelynn Moore; Grandson National Guard Veteran Jordan Scyphers; Grandaughter Shawna Scyphers; Grandson Devon (Caitlyn) Scyphers with great-grandchildren Axel, Roxanne, and Nezuko Scyphers; Grandson Cody (Chelsie) Scyphers with great-grandchildren Eliya and Elaina Scyphers; Grandson Aiden Scyphers; and bonus grandchildren Gavin and Riley Thomas and Abigail (Kenneth) Horn.
His six-year-old great-granddaughter, Addi, upon learning of his passing, sweetly said to her mother Brittany, “But how awesome is it that he got to spend Jesus’ birthday with Him. I hope Jesus had a good birthday with you, Grandpa.”
The family will receive visitors beginning at noon on Wednesday, December 31st, at Painters Chapel Church located at 3743 Hinton Rd., Athens, WV, with Pastor Randy Sargent presiding. A Celebration of Life with Military Honors, provided by the Mercer County Honor Guard, will follow at 1 p.m. The Willing Workers will provide a meal for all attendees in the fellowship hall following the service. There will be a small private family graveside ceremony earlier that day at the Scyphers Farms Family Cemetery on New Ridge Farm Rd., Princeton, WV.
Palbearers will be is grandsons Jordan Scyphers (National Guard Veteran), Brandon Scyphers (U.S. Army Veteran), Devon Scyphers, and Cody Scyphers; nephews Chad Scyphers and Anthony Scyphers; great-nephew Max Scyphers (Civil Air Patrol Cadet); friends Tommy Jennings (U.S. Army Veteran) and Harold Waldron III.
The family encourages a casual dress code for his services. Tommy enjoyed the simple things in life, so please come comfortably dressed and wear your favorite WVU, fishing, or patriotic-themed clothing if you wish.
In lieu of flowers, a fund has been established to support the family. Contributions may be made payable to Painters Chapel Church, 235 Double Cabin Branch Rd., Athens, WV 27412. Memo: Tommy Scyphers Memorial Fund.
Memorial Funeral Directory, 654 Athens Road, Princeton, WV 24740, is serving the Scyphers family.
