Thomas Dent Brand, 93 of Newton, Mississippi, passed away Monday, October 21, 2013 at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, Mississippi after a brief illness.

He was preceded in death by a beloved son: Thomas D. (Tommy) Brand, Jr.; his parents: Thomas and Mamie Williams Brand; one sister: Katherine B. Dickinson and one brother: Jack W. Brand, Sr.

Tom was born in Noxapater, Mississippi on Tuesday, October 28, 1919. He grew up in the Mississippi Delta towns of Hollandale and Rolling Fork. Tom graduated from Mississippi College and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1941. He attended Midshipman School in Chicago, Illinois, and later served in a coastal command based at Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and thereafter, in the South Pacific as a Navigator aboard the USS Cape Horn and the USS Cape Johnson.

After returning from service, Tom married the love of his life, Nancy Elizabeth Ponder on Sunday, June 22, 1947. Tom and Nancy moved to Newton, Mississippi shortly after their marriage, where Tom embarked on a nearly sixty year career as a business man and retail merchant. He served two terms on the city of Newton Board of Alderman.

Tom was an avid tennis player and shared the love of the game with many in the Newton area. He also enjoyed boating and was a talented musician. He had a beautiful bass voice which he shared for many decades at choral performances, nursing homes, as well as the First Baptist Church Choir at Newton. His warm, gregarious and generous nature was a blessing to all he encountered.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years: Nancy Ponder Brand of Newton, Mississippi; one daughter: Teresa McLain of Newton, Mississippi; one niece: Kay Brand (Newton) Farmer of Houston, Texas; two nephews: Dr. Jack W. (Sallie) Brand, Jr.of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; Walter J. (Anna) Brand of Flowood, Mississippi; and many grand nieces and grand nephews.

FUNERAL SERVICE:
2:00 P.M. Wednesday, October 23. 2013

First Baptist Church, 307 East Church St., Newton, MS

VISITATION:
12:00 P.M. - 1:45 P.M., Wednesday, October 23, 2013

First Baptist Church, 307 East Church St., Newton, MS

BURIAL:
Newton Masonic Cemetery, with
Military Honors

OFFICIATING:
Dr. Brian Rushing

Serving as pallbearers will be Walter Brand, Jr., Wilson Brand, William Brand, Jack Brand, III, Dusty Allen, and David Carr.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, Mississippi Missions Ministry, P.O. Box 87, Newton, Mississippi 39345.

Newton County Funeral Home South, 100 Old Hwy. Loop, Newton, is in charge of arrangements,
601-683-2152.

Family and friends may sign an online guest book at www.newtoncountyfuneralhome.com