Herman "Tommy" Alderman

Tommy Alderman went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 13, 2023. He was 72 years old.

Born in June 1950 as Herman James Alderman, he was given the better-known nickname “Tommy” early in childhood by his many siblings. Though unable to finish school due to his family’s financial hardships, Tommy self-taught himself how to work on cars in his adolescent years, becoming a skilled auto-mechanic with a natural understanding of engines.

He served in the garages and motor pools for several businesses based in the New River Valley, including Purity Bakery, Homer Cox Ford, and Virginia Tech. He retired in 2001 due to health complications related to Type II Diabetes, but continued to work out of his own garage at his home in Pilot, Virginia.

Though retired, word-of-mouth of Tommy’s excellent work spread from just friends and family to the greater Pilot and Floyd communities, so he was never truly without work. This suited Tommy well, as anyone who knew him would say that he was happiest when he was working, be it elbow-deep in an engine or out in the sun in his prized vegetable garden, gathering tomatoes by the basket to give freely to his neighbors.

He was, at his heart, a helper of people; generous, sometimes to his own detriment, and tremendously soft-hearted, though he would never admit it.

Tommy was preceded in death by his mother and father, Roenie and Gordon Alderman, brother Deloyd Alderman, sisters Marie “Robin” Alderman and Christine Linkous; and brother-in-law, Seine Heasley. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Alfadean “Deana” Alderman, his daughter Ashley Alderman, siblings David (Teresa), Daniel, Doris, Rachel and Barbara Alderman, Helen (Charles) O’Dell, and Darlene (Mike) Worrell, and sister-in-law Goldie Alderman, Margie Janney, brother-in-law Charles Wayneard Janney and Junior Linkous.

A viewing will be held from 4:30 - 6:30 on Monday, January 16 at Horne Funeral home, located at 1300 North Franklin Street. A funeral service will be held at 1 pm on Tuesday, January 17, also at Horne Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Huffville Cemetery.