Mr. Thomas Milton “Tommy” Best Sr., 80, of New Bern, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at his home. Tommy was born in Belhaven, the son of Jordan Thomas Best and Agnes Midgette Best, and moved to New Bern in 1954 to work at the Willis & Ballard Funeral Home on Broad St. They since moved to Neuse Blvd and became Pollock-Best Funerals & Cremations in the early 1960s. Tommy was a licensed funeral director for over 60 years, and a pillar of New Bern and the surrounding area. He was instrumental in Craven County starting the first New Bern-Craven County Rescue Squad, and was very active in the Jaycees where they organized the old Pony League and Babe Ruth Baseball League. In his younger days Tommy enjoyed coaching Babe Ruth, sailing, fishing and being with his friends at Billy’s Ham & Eggs and the Berne Restaurant. He was a faithful friend and would always put you at ease. Never one to sit still, Tommy could be found with his camera and later worked on computers. His years of compassion and dedication to the families he served will leave a void in Eastern North Carolina. Tommy’s attention to detail and doing what’s right has put a mark on those he trained and mentored in funeral service. Sadly, Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather, Johnie Lee Walls, his sister, Carolyn Best Rose, and his son-in-law, Timothy William Griffin.

The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 PM, Sunday, December 18, 2016 at Pollock-Best Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Monday, December 19, 2016 at Riverdale United Methodist Church with Rev. Rusty Willis officiating. The family will gather in the fellowship hall following the services. Private burial will be at New Bern Memorial Cemetery. Those wishing to offer words of hope and condolences may visit www.pollockbest.com. Memorials, in Tommy’s name, may be made to Riverdale UMC Snack Pack Program, 5195 US Hwy 70 E., New Bern, NC 28562.

Tommy is survived by his wife, Billie Whitley Best, of New Bern, NC; his daughters, Susan Best Hollar, and husband David, of Claremont, NC, Dennee Best Griffin, of Garner, NC; and his son, Thomas M. Best Jr., and wife Kimberly, of Raleigh, NC. He also leaves behind his stepbrother, Bobby Lee Walls, and wife Lois, of Mt. Pleasant, SC; his half-brother Larry Allen Walls, and wife Jill, of Jeffersonville, IN; his brother-in-law, Edward Rose, of Grifton, NC; his sister, Virginia Best Spring, and husband Joe, of New Bern, NC; and his stepsister, Beatrice Rebecca Sanderfer, of Jeffersonville, IN. Tommy’s memory will be shared with his six grandchildren, Courtney Webster (Paul), Sarah Cribb (Brandon), Haley Murray (Derek), Paige Sinkiewicz (Jake), Jordan Best, Brian Best; and his five great-grandchildren, Lawson and Levin Murray, Carter and Jackson Sinkiewicz, and Macon Cribb. Tommy also leaves behind his extended family of stepchildren, Dr. Carolyn Taylor, and husband Lt. Col. Eric Weissberger, USMC Ret., of Mount Pleasant, NC; Roy Taylor IV, and wife Rebecca, of Wilmington, NC; Allison Coward, and husband Robert, of New Bern, NC; Dr. Lauren Taylor, and husband John Cooper, of Washington, NC; and his five step-grandchildren, Kyle Mauch, Whitley and Abby Spencer, Christian and Troy Coward, and Chloe Taylor and adopted daughter Denise Plourde, of New Bern, NC.

Pollock-Best Funerals & Cremations is honored to assist the Best family.