1. Facebook Post by Scott Hale; 28 Dec 2025.
"Tommy Joe Scyphers
79 formerly of Bradshaw, WV
Thank you for your service Sir 🇱🇷
May you Rest in Heavenly Peace 🕊️
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, 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; 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 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 Brandon (Jordan) Scyphers with bonus great-grandchildren Ava and Charlie Shipley ; Grandaughter Alexis (Darren) Moore with great-grandchildren Madilynn and Evelynn Moore; Grandson 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.”
"Services will be held Wednesday, December 31, 2025, with a small private family graveside ceremony at 11:00 a.m. at the Scyphers Farms Family Cemetery on New Ridge Farm Rd., Princeton, WV.
A Celebration of Life with Military Honors, provided by the Mercer County Honor Guard, will begin at 1:00 p.m. at Painters Chapel Church in Speedway, WV, with Pastor Randy Sargent presiding. The Willing Workers will provide a meal following the service in the fellowship hall."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.
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."
1. Virginia, Marriage Records, 1936-2014; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Donna Scyphers Estep
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age: 19
Birth Date: 12 Nov 1959
Marriage Registration Place: Buchanan, Virginia, USA
Marriage Date: 1 Sep 1979
Marriage Place: Buchanan, Virginia, USA
Father: Joseph Miller Scyphers
Mother: Lillie Mae Church
Spouse: Larry Michael Golden "
1. Dickenson Co, VA; Marriage License #65 043936; Ancestry.com Website.
Estel Baker; age 18; born in Paynesville, WV; single; handyman; living at Jolo, WV; son of Charles
and Katherine M. (step-mother) (Roberts) Baker; married on 4 Dec 1965 at Clintwood, VA; Naomi
Sue Cyphers; age 17; born and living in Bradshaw, WV; single; daughter of Joseph and Mae (Church)
Cyphers.
2. U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Estel Baker
Birth Date 5 Dec 1947
Address PO Box 747
Residence Place Bradshaw, West Virginia, USA
Zip Code 24817-0747"
1. Dickenson Co, VA; Marriage License #65 043936; Ancestry.com Website.
Estel Baker; age 18; born in Paynesville, WV; single; handyman; living at Jolo, WV; son of Charles
and Katherine M. (step-mother) (Roberts) Baker; married on 4 Dec 1965 at Clintwood, VA; Naomi
Sue Cyphers; age 17; born and living in Bradshaw, WV; single; daughter of Joseph and Mae (Church)
Cyphers.
2. U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Naomi S Baker [Naomi Baker]
Birth Date 15 Mar 1948
Residence Date 1995
Address 6114 Powell Valley Rd # R
Residence Big Stone Gap, VA
Postal Code 24219-4116
Second Residence Date 1993
Second Address PO Box 246
Second Residence East Stone Gap, VA
Second Postal Code 24246-0246
1. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #73-023373; Ancestry.com Website.
James Ronald Scyphers; age 23; born 20 Aug 1949 in WV' single; this is his 1st marriage; 4 yrs HS
education; ;iving at Box 747, Bradshaw, WV; son of Joe Millard and Lilly Mae (Church) Scyphers;
married on 29 Jun 1973 in Grindy, VA; Legrthel Pell Church; age 20 born 26 Aug 1952 in WV; single;
this is her 1st marriage; 1 yr HS education; living at Brashaw, WV; daughter of unknown father and
Elizabeth Effie Church.
1. Buchanan Co, VA; Marriage License #73-023373; Ancestry.com Website.
James Ronald Scyphers; age 23; born 20 Aug 1949 in WV' single; this is his 1st marriage; 4 yrs HS
education; ;iving at Box 747, Bradshaw, WV; son of Joe Millard and Lilly Mae (Church) Scyphers;
married on 29 Jun 1973 in Grindy, VA; Legrthel Pell Church; age 20 born 26 Aug 1952 in WV; single;
this is her 1st marriage; 1 yr HS education; living at Brashaw, WV; daughter of unknown father and
Elizabeth Effie Church.